Catch a wave...Or the swimming thread [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

crazycanuck

01-02-2008, 06:32 PM

I'm on track for my 4 swims/week.

We did 500m w/u then 200m kick. 4x50, 1x 100, 1x200 rest in btwn each then again. I can't remember the rest..

I'm going to join the local Aussie Masters Swim group now that i can swim & kick. I also want to purchase a book I saw that details all different types of sets but can't remember the title. I'd have to wander to a few book shops.

C

HillSlugger

01-03-2008, 06:07 AM

Over on Beginner Triathlete I've challenged myself to swim 16,000m in January. Today I swam the first 2000m:

1000m in 20:47 (2:04.7/100m)
400m in 8:25 (2:04.25/100)
300m in 6:22 (2:07.33/100)
200m in 4:06 (2:03/100)
100m in 1:55

I'm stoked that I did the last 100m in under 2min! Negative splits rock!

Today's swim marks the first time I've done a workout with most of the swimming done as bilateral breathing: about 2-3 out of every 4 lengths during the first 1000m and the entire second 1000m. I felt faster and smoother stroking this way. I think I've passed the point of no return :)

RoadRaven

01-03-2008, 10:04 AM

CC - you are an inspiration!
All the troubles and all the healing from 2007... the healing that continues this year... and here you are swimming like... well... like a really good swimming thing (I was never that hot on similies! :p )

Just remember you love cycling! You have to make room for the bike when you can hop back on it - don't let swimming cheat you!

(Oh no... I think we're losing CC! CC... come back... we love you and your bike!)

MD... I have no idea what half your post means :rolleyes: (I am not a swimmer or a triathelete) but it sounds like I should be well impressed, so I am) Spesh with 100m in under 2mins - that sounds fast (and a heckuva lot faster than me!!!)

KSH

01-03-2008, 11:38 AM

Well starting next week I'll be swimming with a group Tuesday and Friday mornings.

I have finally given in to the idea that I can't train for an Ironman and get all my workouts in, just training in the evening and on the weekends.

So I'm going to buckle down and start getting up at 5:30 AM to swim at 6:00 AM. *Pained look on her face.*

I keep reminding myself it's all for a good cause... to cross the finish line.

Otherwise, my swimming is solid. I can't wait to see my times drop some more once I train twice a week.

Last night I timed the following:

2x400- Each 400 I completed in 6:30
2x300- Each 300 I completed in 5:00
4x100- Each 100 I completed in 1:35/38

Please keep in mind though that I was a competitive swimmer in High School. Swimming is the ONLY thing I do right.

TriMom217

01-03-2008, 11:59 AM

1000m in 20:47 (2:04.7/100m)
400m in 8:25 (2:04.25/100)
300m in 6:22 (2:07.33/100)
200m in 4:06 (2:03/100)
100m in 1:55

I can't seem to get myself over to the pool to save my life. Your workout looks good and I just might take it with me....one of these days.

alpinerabbit

01-03-2008, 12:42 PM

2x400- Each 400 I completed in 6:30
2x300- Each 300 I completed in 5:00
4x100- Each 100 I completed in 1:35/38

Wow.

keep going...

my gods, I really had to try to get a 100 in under 2:00

KSH

01-03-2008, 01:21 PM

Wow.

keep going...

my gods, I really had to try to get a 100 in under 2:00

Well, I wouldn't consider myself a "normal" person in the pool since I have been a competitive swimmer. I have been swimming for a good 20 years... and I made sure to keep up with my skill after I was out of High School.

Most people swim 100 in 2:00 minutes and if you can get it below that, you are doing great. Especially if you haven't had any personalized coaching.

I personally think swimming is the hardest of the 3 disciplines to pick up. You can't fake form in swimming. I am amazed at people who can barely swim and who take up doing tri's. That's hard in my book!

wemoon

01-12-2008, 04:38 AM

I'm doing a swimming challenge on Beginner Athlete as well this month with a goal of 10,000 yards. I'm at 5,700 yards so far and have almost 3 weeks left this month. I made a modest goal because at the beginning of the month I was still not feeling like I was a "swimmer," but something just happened in one of my sessions (OK, the something was my GF who is a coach, not for swimming, but still the coach mentality, who pushed me to do 150 more which pushed me past what I had ever swam in a workout before). Something just clicked and I can just swim now. I'm not sure what happened, but I found a rhythm which allowed me to just keep going and going. Now I just love swimming and have to force myself to stop so I don't injure myself!

alpinerabbit

01-14-2008, 12:57 PM

I really drew the joker today.

back to practice after skipping for 6 weeks and he does a 1K TT. Yikes. I almost got sick to the stomach.

This is in the 25 meter pool: 1:45 for the first 100, 9 someting for 500 and 20 something for 1000.

Not so bad after all eh?

KSH

01-15-2008, 09:50 AM

I actually woke up at 5:30 AM to swim this morning. Shocking for me!

I joined a tri team and they swim Tues and Fri AM 6-7.

So we did around 2100 meters. It was nice to swim in a group, and to get my workout done early... I just hate not being able to get 3000+ meters in, in the morning. Not enough time. Since we have to stop and wait for the group, etc.

Wahine

01-15-2008, 10:00 AM

We did a threshold/pacing set today. Eeeeeeek
W-up
11 x 100 @ 1:38 to 1:40 on 1:55 interval
100 easy
4 x 200 on 3:50 interval, first two were 3:23, 3rd was 3:32, 4th 3:27.
Looks like the wheels kinda of fell off the bus towards the end there.

I swear my arms are about to fall off.

We're getting ready for a masters club 1 hour challenge. As many club members as we can enlist swim for 1 hour each and we add up all the mileage. Then I don't know how they compare clubs but it's a state wide thing.:cool:

HillSlugger

01-15-2008, 10:03 AM

Wahine

01-15-2008, 11:23 AM

What does the "on X:XX interval" mean? I can't swim that fast!

That means that if I'm swimming 100m on 1:55, and I started to swim at 0:00 on the clock, I would have to start my next 100 at 1:55 on the clock, the next send off would be 3:50 and so on, regardless of what my actual swim time was. So the faster you swim, the more rest you get. Because I was swimming 1:40 ish pace, I was getting about 15 seconds rest between intervals. It's a good way to encourage people to keep the effort level up.

Kimmyt

01-15-2008, 01:55 PM

Hey Wahine, our Masters team is doing the 1-hr Postal Challenge too! I'm not a registered member of USMS but I'll probably do it just the same, only my distance won't count towards the club total. I'll try and remember to post my distance!

K.

Wahine

01-15-2008, 09:03 PM

Oooooooooo, FUN!! Can't wait to see how you do!

kelownagirl

01-16-2008, 07:13 PM

Swimming - day 3. I am so excited that the swimming thing is working out for me! I certainly have LOTS to work on but apparently I am managing to avoid many of the 'typical' issues that beginning swimmers deal with. I have a good kick, and my breathing is getting under control quite quickly (although this is certainly my biggest challenge), and today we worked more on my stroke and it seems I do the 's' curve thingy (whatever that is) naturally so he didn't have to make me correct that. Anyway, I am so excited that I have SOME sort of natural ability in an area that has always terrified me.

The best news is that he said he thinks I can definitely do a triathlon and he recommended I join the masters swim club after this lesson set is over rather than spend more money on private lessons. Yee haw!

Tri Girl

01-17-2008, 04:20 AM

You mean you guys are actually swimming? I haven't swam since September. Let's see...(scheming in my head) my IM is late November...so that means I can start swimming in about June...;)
I hate the water when it's cold. I just can't drag myself to the pool to get wet in the cold gym. I'm such a weenie...:( Nice to see others are braving it and getting in their pool time. I want to be you.

KSH

01-17-2008, 05:21 AM

I hate the water when it's cold. I just can't drag myself to the pool to get wet in the cold gym. I'm such a weenie...:( Nice to see others are braving it and getting in their pool time. I want to be you.

OH! I HATE COLD WATER! Hate it. It's all I can do to get in a pool that has water that's cold.

I stopped swimming at one gym because the water was just too cold. I thought I was a whimp... but even this guy we know who was a Marine and is hardcore (rides when it's 20 degrees)... stopped going to that gym because of the pool being too cold.

I have joined a tri team just so I can swim with them in a WARM pool. I pick my pools based on water temperature.

HillSlugger

01-17-2008, 05:44 AM

I had an awesome swim today! I did a ladder down from 600m to 100m. It's only the second time I've done 2100m in a session, but the amazing thing is that I did the entire session at a pace just under 2 minutes per 100m! I did the final 100m in 1:47! Except for this final set I never felt like I was pushing it very hard. For me, this is huge! :D:D:D

kelownagirl

01-19-2008, 02:35 PM

I went to the pool alone today and worked on the things my coach had suggested. I did about 30 lengths in the half hour I was there. I timed myself a few times as well and did one length in 25-30 seconds. I didn't rush when I turned around so my 50m time was about 1:00-1:05. Trouble is, I can't swim more than two lengths in a row without taking a break to catch my breath. :)

Can anyone tell me what kind of time I should be working toward?

Wahine

01-19-2008, 08:34 PM

Honestly KG, that's actually really good for someone who just startedswimming again. If you can comfortably get your 50m time under 1 min, you're golden.

kelownagirl

01-19-2008, 08:51 PM

Well that's good news! Too bad the tri's not a 50m swim eh? If only they had stopping places every 50 m in the lake....

Wahine

01-19-2008, 09:01 PM

It'll be no time before you're able to string those 50's together. I actually swim better in open water than I do at the pool.

alpinerabbit

01-20-2008, 12:39 AM

Trouble is, I can't swim more than two lengths in a row without taking a break to catch my breath. :)
Can anyone tell me what kind of time I should be working toward?

I think for now, aim to not get out of breath. It will come. It is all about technique... Be perfectionist first.
Then think about times.

crazycanuck

01-20-2008, 01:26 AM

KG-I agree with AP & wahine..work on technique first. Even if you have to slow down & think about how you breathe or move etc then it's fine.

When I first started swimming with our group, my freestlye was crap as I wasn't pulling the water with my right arm/side & it often floated outwards. (it's hard to describe-i know the movement but can't describe it) It took me 1yr or so to work on it;s much better now.

Oddly enough..having to swim with a pull buoy for a month or so actually helped. I may have hated it but I actually had to think about or force myself to think about what my arms were doing.

Another thing about swimming is core strength...

Rambles from the crazy side..:o

KSH

01-20-2008, 05:21 AM

Oddly enough..having to swim with a pull buoy for a month or so actually helped. I may have hated it but I actually had to think about or force myself to think about what my arms were doing.

Rambles from the crazy side..:o

That's a really great suggestion for new swimmers. By using a pull buoy between your legs... your legs float and you don't have to think about kicking or what your legs are doing. It allows you to focus on your stroke.

I think more new swimmers should try it to get their stroke down.

alpinerabbit

01-20-2008, 07:42 AM

Just not too often so you don't depend on it for your balance.

Hey - I swam another 1:45 on 100 meters in the 50 meter pool. I'm quite happy.

kelownagirl

01-20-2008, 07:48 AM

I think for now, aim to not get out of breath. It will come. It is all about technique... Be perfectionist first.
Then think about times.

You betcha. I am trying to go slow and steady and do everything right. I just wanted to time myself on a couple laps so I could get an idea of where I'm at in the big picture and even then I was not trying to go fast per se, I was trying to swim 'good'. :D:D

And "pull buoy" - is that what you call that little float thingy (hourglass shaped in a way) that you put between your knees? My coach had me use one a few times to work on my stroke. Nice to know what's it's called.

I contacted the Swim Club and will probably start the week after next. Something else to be nervous about.... :eek::eek::o

Kitsune06

01-23-2008, 06:43 PM

KG- regarding breath- it might be waaaay elementary for you, but what my coach is having me do is 180s- start on your stomach, just kick until you need breath, then use the arm on your 'breathing side' (if you have one you prefer) to roll you to your back, maintain the chin-slightly-tucked, mouth-and-nose parallel to water head position, breathe as needed, then use the same arm to roll you onto your belly again, maintaining the same stiff-neck pose. Opposite arm (since I breathe left and thus stroke left, this would be my right) stays straight 'ahead' while you're on your back. Teaches balance and breathing rhythm, but also can be handy to just catch your breath while maintaining a focus on your kick. A variation I'll be drilling into myself tomorrow is the 4-stroke 180, which is the above, only you start on your stomach, four 'front crawl' strokes, then on your 'breath' stroke, flip onto your back again and breathe.

The next drill we do is the 'fingertip drag'. Elbow up, drag fingertips across the water's surface with your head down (facing the bottom of the pool) like The Thing water skiing. :)

Hope that helps.
I get to go drown myself tomorrow, I'll tell y'all how it goes.
Really straining my quads. Geez.

kelownagirl

01-23-2008, 07:06 PM

Thanks Kit - we did do some of that when I started and it did help. Now my focus is on trying to 'coordinate' my breathing with my stroke. Most of the time it's the right time/speed, but sometimes, I breathe too late (my arm is already entering the water) or too slow (my stroke 'stalls' for a moment while I breathe).

I did the finger tip dragging drill on Monday! I did it for about 10m then kept forgetting. At that point he stopped me and said, I wasn't doing it, but I was now lifting my elbow the way I was supposed to so it was all good.

Sometimes, I think it might be better if he just told me what he wanted me to do instead of getting me to do the 'overcompensation' drill. :o

My hip flexors kill me when I'm swimming.

I didn't go swimming today. My lessons are over and I feel super tired and needed a day off today.

crazycanuck

01-23-2008, 07:46 PM

I went swimming this morning & did fairly well. I'm getting the leg power back as the kicking drills seemed easier :)

With our main set where we do a 300 (slow, medium then fast) x3 I had to really think about how I was swimming. Not because my stroke was way off but because of how it feels on my left side. I'd love to go fast but not if it bothers me. Whilst doing the set I had this sudden thought about breathing out when under the water..it seemed to relieve the pressure on the left.

I'm also pondering changing the normal side I breathe out on to see if it helps.

Random thoughts from the crazy one..

I love swimming I just want to get back to being a bit faster..

Kimmyt

01-24-2008, 05:32 AM

CC, good on the breathing out while under water. I found when I hold my breath (which is what I used to do) under water I would have to squeeze a whole exhale/inhale in when I rotated my head to breathe. It led to my heart rate speeding up and hyperventilating type of problems as well as some tense neck muscles. Now I blow a nice steady stream of bubbles until I take my head out of the water to breathe. It's very relaxing on long distances.

Last night we had our 1-hr swim. I was wiffling about whether or not to do it, because my ankle is still very tender to the touch and I can't point it or flex it too extremely. But it supports weight very well and doesn't feel much worse than when I did my August tri, so I decided to hop in the water and take a quick 50 to see how it felt.

It didn't feel good to kick, but the thing about long distance swimming is that you don't necessarily need to kick alot, esp. if you're not going for speed. So I decided to do the swim.

Overall I felt pretty happy with my times. All my splits were within 4 seconds of each other, and I was pretty steady on a 2:00/100yd pace. And to think, that was my time with only kicking with one leg or not at all! Overall the swim felt okay, it was just a little boring. And I couldn't for the life of me think of what the capitol of New Jersey was! Eesh. I have to think of better things to entertain myself than to name states/capitols, esp. since I'm geographically challenged!

K.

limewave

01-24-2008, 11:40 AM

alpinerabbit

01-24-2008, 12:44 PM

The classic float exercises that I and others have pointed out in other freds. I mean threads.

such as
http://www.svl.ch/basic_drills.html

crazycanuck

01-24-2008, 02:20 PM

Hey Kimmy..It was just pure fluke that I decided to breathe out a bit more than i normally do.! I don't think i hold my breath when i'm swimming. I think because i was only able to swim a certain way after my crash that I had to start thinking about how I swam/swim. Perhaps having to use the pull bouy for a month wasn't such a bad tihng..

I have a few more swims planned for the weekend :D

Nav

01-24-2008, 06:39 PM

Hello All!

Does anyone here ever get mild soreness on the fronts of their feet from swimming (i.e. kicking)? It's not from my anterior tibialis muscle because I was poking around on it and it's fine.

My husband and I have also just started doing flip turns, and I'm wondering if the push off might be causing it (although how that would affect the front...?).

crazycanuck, you've got great taste in music.

Wahine

01-24-2008, 06:53 PM

The tendons on the front of the ankle can get sore from kicking, especially if you're using full sized flippers a lot. I don't thing the flip turns will affect them much unless you're increasing your kicking to take you into the wall faster. The problem is worse for people who have hypermobile (loosey goosey) ankles.

Jolt

01-25-2008, 03:35 PM

I'm so excited I can finally "dive-in" on the swimming thread.

I'm so impressed by everyone's workouts! I can't wait to read more.

My background with swimming: I was on swim team in my Junior High years. And I was TERRIBLE! Always the last one out of the pool. I used to cry about it a lot. So, I finally gave it up.

Now, I'm interested in doing tri's. I did my first one last summer with only a handful of open water swim practices. And I was among the last few out of the water. I'm determined to improve my swimming and work on my fears (I'm scared of lake water--which doesn't help keep the heart rate down).

My goal for the first few weeks is to just be in the water swimming for 30 minutes and to work on form. I've got the bilateral breathing down, but my butt keeps sinking every time I take a breath. Any tips on keeping my hips up would be great.

Thanks!

As far as your derriere sinking when you take a breath, are you lifting your head (rather than just turning it to the side)? That's one thing that could cause this problem. Another could be if you stop kicking when you breathe. Without seeing your stroke, I can't really help any more than that. I was on swim team for a number of years and have also taught swimming lessons, so the possibilities I suggested are just based on my experience. BTW, as far as your experiences on swim team, I was pretty much the same way!!! Speed was never my strong point; my form was fine but I was just slow!

kelownagirl

01-26-2008, 02:55 PM

Whoo hoo, I swam 100m without stopping today! I felt tired after 30 minutes but rested for a bit and then went back in and did better! Suddenly I seemed to get into a rhythm and felt less tired. Overall I did about 1100m or more and swam for 40 minutes - 250m of kicking with the board, 250m with the fins, and the rest regular freestyle. I could have gone longer but DH came to pick me up.

Today I counted my strokes per 25m length and I seem to do about 24 strokes at 30 seconds per length. Can someone give me some feedback on that? I have no idea what to work toward. I am not trying to swim faster, I just want to work on technique and swimming smoothly. I think I read that you want to try to do fewer strokes though, right? So what would be a reasonable goal?

Wahine

01-26-2008, 03:32 PM

You're doing really well KG. The biggest thing for you will be swimming longer, getting the endurance to swim 500m straight eventually.

To give you some feedback; I swim about 18 to 20 strokes per length at tempo, I can get that down to 15 if I really slow down and stretch out. I'll swim 25 in 25 sec at a comfortable pace. But really 30 sec is very good and you should focus on endurance. It's amazing that you're doing so well since you just started with it all.:D:D:cool:

kelownagirl

01-26-2008, 04:47 PM

Thanks Wahine and you have NO idea how amazing it is. Most people cannot believe I'm even willing to go in the water. I've always been known as the girl you do NOT push off the air mattress or she cries.... I am feeling really good about my swimming although I know I have lots to learn and a long way to go. I am actually starting to enjoy it too. :)

HillSlugger

01-26-2008, 05:50 PM

What do you count as a stroke, every arm or every one side?

kelownagirl

01-26-2008, 06:54 PM

I was counting every stroke, left or right.

HillSlugger

01-26-2008, 07:10 PM

I haven't paid attention recently, but last I did, counting every arm stroke I do about the same as you.

alpinerabbit

01-27-2008, 07:15 AM

In a 25m Pool I can do between 20 and 15 strokes depending on speed. 1:45 on 100, or 45sec on 50 is my sprint speed (I've been at it for a year).

So KG, you are progressing really fast. In addition to being perfectionist on those isolation exercises, just concentrate on the glide phase - after your hand has entered the water, and the push - before it exits.

kelownagirl

01-27-2008, 07:36 AM

All right - that's great! Now I have a goal to reach. It makes it easier for me if I know what I am aiming for. I'll see if I can cut back a couple strokes just by gliding longer. I do tend to rush (everything...) :rolleyes: :D

kelownagirl

01-28-2008, 06:01 PM

I went swimming today and tried to slow down my stroke. It was fairly easy to get down to 20 strokes per 25m and still keep a 30 second pace, which surprised me. I guess I thought I'd slow down if I didn't stroke as often. So today I did...

250m kicking with board
250m fins and stroke practice.
650m freestyle

40 minutes.
Lesson learned - make sure your hair is dry before you go outside when it's -12....

I think I'll try out for the Masters Swim club on Wednesday. Ooooohhh butterflies in my tummy....

Wahine

01-29-2008, 11:31 AM

We did the 1 hour postal swim at masters today.

300 w-up then swim as far as you can for 1 hour. That worked out to 3375m for me. then 125 cool down. Wow, I'm tired. Wonder why.

So Kimmy, how'd you do?

kelownagirl

01-29-2008, 12:38 PM

Wow...................:o

alpinerabbit

01-29-2008, 12:59 PM

yes wow....

crazycanuck

01-30-2008, 02:52 PM

Ok..not as magnificent as Wahine's effort but I swam with our group this morning.

I'm very happy as i was able to move faster! YAy!!!!!!! Using the pull bouy today was really easy.

Hmmm..swimming's just too much fun :D

HillSlugger

01-31-2008, 08:25 AM

I tried some speedwork drills this morning, two sets of 300m slow/normal/fast. First, I discovered that I really only have two speeds since what I perceive as slow was basically no slower than my regular speed (about 2 seconds/100m different). Second, I discovered that my fast is decently fast (15 seconds/100m faster) but that I'm at my current physical limit. I definitely need to do more of these. I'd love to swim at this fast speed for my pool swim triathlon but right now it takes too much out of me and I'd be toast for the rest of the events.

Kimmyt

01-31-2008, 10:01 AM

Wahine, I did 3050, which I'm pleased as pie with! Considering my ankle really didn't like kicking, I did the whole thing kicking with one leg or barely at all.

K.

Wahine

01-31-2008, 11:50 AM

Nice work Kimmy!! You did great. Maybe you should swim 1 legged all the time.:p

chickwhorips

01-31-2008, 12:47 PM

To get back into swimming I've gotten some plans off this website: http://www.swimplan.com/

The couple drills I've done gives me a good work out. Has anyone ever used this website and how often should I do drills? I've been trying to swim 2-3 times a week.

kelownagirl

02-02-2008, 03:10 PM

Yay, I swam 200m without stopping today! (My goal had been 150.) I felt like I could have swum further but I was getting sloppy so I stopped and took a rest break. I don't feel like I can go further than 50m in the first 20 minutes but I seem to finally get into a 'zone' after I warm up a bit and I can swim further before I start gasping for air.

1250m in 45 minutes (kicking drills, stroke focus with fins, and freestyle).

I can do about 20 strokes per 25m fairly consistently now and I did 100m in 2:30 today. I'm not trying to go fast, just steady and 'correct".

Wahine

02-02-2008, 06:08 PM

KG - it is so great to see your posts and see what fantastic progress you're making. I can't believe you're swimming 1250 in 45 min already!!

Tri Girl

02-02-2008, 06:44 PM

I had to pipe in. I swam for the first time since my last race in September. It's a good thing I swam for so many years because it didn't kill me nearly as much as I'd feared it would. I'm only about 10 seconds per 100 off my normal pace. But.... it was sooooo hard and my upper body is already feeling it. :rolleyes: Probably couldn't keep that up for more than 500 without almost drowning. Guess I shouldn't go 4 months in between swims. :p
IM training begins in a couple months, so it was nice to get back in the water.

Congrats on all the milestones, ladies. It's great to see you all doing so well in the water. I've been reading for a while and was doing my swim training vicariously through you.

kelownagirl

02-02-2008, 06:46 PM

KG - it is so great to see your posts and see what fantastic progress you're making. I can't believe you're swimming 1250 in 45 min already!!

Thanks Wahine - you give me hope! I really have to get down to the masters program this week so I can get some direction and correction.

alpinerabbit

02-03-2008, 01:37 AM

Also, with regards to stroke count. this is a bit mean now but I counted a girl at the pool who was sort of "being nice with the water" i.e. just stroking it instead of really catching and pulling thru -

her stroke count on 50m was higher than 80 :eek:

So you must be doing just fine.

how about a video for us to enjoy? :D

alpinerabbit

02-04-2008, 12:43 PM

I crossed the 4000m line tonight. Woot!

Wahine

02-04-2008, 12:47 PM

:D:D:D:D:D

Good job Alpine, that's a big milestone.

alpinerabbit

02-04-2008, 12:53 PM

I hated our coach for making us do another 600... then it was only 100 to go :-) & felt a bit woozy afterwards.

kelownagirl

02-04-2008, 05:11 PM

I need a kick in the butt to give me courage to go the masters program tonight. I am not too tired. I really need to go. But I'm as nervous as a kid entering kindergarten. :o :o

That aside, I was looking at the swimplan website CWR mentioned and here is a sample of one based on my particular abilities. What do you think?

I don't actually understand it all at this point, and I don't know how to remember it all once you're in the water since you can't exactly take it with you....

Duration 30-45 mins
Distance 900yd
Pool length 25yd

Issued Feb 3 2008

Warm up

• 2 x 50yd Any Stroke (even pace), rest 0:15 / 50yd
Swim your choice of stroke at a steady pace.

Build up (repeat 3 times)

• 1 x 50yd Freestyle Kick with fins (25yd Easy, 25yd Effort), rest 0:15 / 50yd Freestyle kicking with fins, alternating every 25yd between easy and fast kicks. Use the easy kicks for recovery.

• 1 x 50yd Freestyle Breathe and Kick with fins, rest 0:15 / 50yd Freestyle drill to isolate the breathing action and practice control of the body and head position. One arm holding the back of the kickboard, the other arm loosely at your side. Keep your ear on your shoulder while kicking. Roll your body to breathe on the side not holding the kickboard.

Core (repeat 2 times)

• 2 x 100yd Freestyle (25yd Easy, 25yd Effort), rest 0:30 / 100yd Freestyle swim at a slow, relaxed pace for 25yd, followed by Freestyle at a fast pace for 25yd. Recover during the easy part of the swim.

• Rest 0:60 seconds

Warm down

• 1 x 100yd Freestyle Push & Glide, rest 0:20 / 100yd
Freestyle swim, pausing at the end of every stroke with arms out-stretched, one held out front, the other held loosely against the body.

Alpinerabbit - was the video comment directed at me? Funny you should ask because I really want DH to come and videotape me so I can see what I look like. If I do, I'll youtube it for ya... sorry you asked? :D:D

crazycanuck

02-04-2008, 06:31 PM

4000m in 1hr? :eek::cool: That's a mighty big effort dear! I hope you treated yourself to something yummy after!

KSH

02-05-2008, 07:15 AM

52 minutes
2952.76 yards
01m 46s /100 yards

Got to the pool at 5:45 AM. No one was swimming and only 1 of the coaches was there with 2 other guys who swim at 6.

Apparently they shut down the Lifetime Fitness Pool when it's lightening outside.

Luckily the bad weather was done and the pool opened up at 6:00 AM. The coach who gives the workouts wasn't there though.

No problem for me! I just pulled one of my many workouts from my bag, and did that.

Actually, it was really nice. I finally got a longer set in. I also got to do some distance.

200-Warmup

600- 200 easy/200 fast/200 moderate

200- Easy
200- Fast
200- Easy

100- IM
100- IM
200- Fast
200- Easy

600- Paced it from slow to fast at the end.

100- cool down.

KSH

02-05-2008, 07:16 AM

4000m in 1hr? :eek::cool: That's a mighty big effort dear! I hope you treated yourself to something yummy after!

Sounds hard to me! I MIGHT be able to do it if I didn't stop swimming and I swam faster than usual. Still so... not sure I could that.

Someone is a FISH!!!!

Wahine

02-05-2008, 09:54 AM

KSH

02-05-2008, 11:16 AM

KSH and CC - Alpine didn't specify how long it took her to swim 4000 m. Kimmy and I were talking about the postal 1 hour swim earlier and that may have cuased some confusion. But really, for all I know she could have done it in an hour, I just don't think she specified.

AH... yea, we might have gotten confused on that one.

I know I swam 3,000 yards in 52 minutes myself today... that is with a 1:45, 100. To make 4,000 yards in one hour... I can't even think how fast someone would have to swim.

Then again, a lot of people make their IM swim (4200 yards) in around 1 hour.

alpinerabbit

02-05-2008, 12:03 PM

HillSlugger

02-05-2008, 12:43 PM

OH. Good evening ladies. I was caught in the time zone dimensional shift that is called a "working day in Europe".

Our practice is one hour and 50 minutes. Sound more realistic?

Our coach, however does 3.8K in 50 minutes, Ironman relay team mode. He's an ex-competitive swimmer. So it's feasible. First out of water at Ironman is what, 40 something minutes....

I sounds more realistic in the sense of how much time it took to swim 4000m, but, for me, the idea of swimming for 1 hour and 50 minutes is not realistic at all! :eek:

crazycanuck

02-06-2008, 03:00 PM

:D weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...I love swimming in the rain wwwwwwwwwwweeeee

Great session this morning

I hate my new fins :mad: they're bothering my right knee..ARGHGHGHG..

Swimming in da rain, just swimmin in da rain...

teigyr

02-06-2008, 03:14 PM

I know I'm not regular in here because I really don't deserve to be but I swam 1650 yards today :D Was going to do 1600 but I was using the alphabet to count laps and I wanted to end on "g" instead of "f" so there you have it. I tried to swim easy and just work on form though the last lap I tried to go fast. I ended up being tired after that one!

It took me about 45 minutes or so which is slow, granted. All I'm worried about right now is building up endurance. I feel good about it!

HillSlugger

02-06-2008, 04:02 PM

kelownagirl

02-06-2008, 08:10 PM

Well, after all the hemming and hawing and even trying it out, I decided not to join the Masters after all. The M,W 8:30-9:30pm time is tough for me and I just wasn't sure it would work out. I am pretty disciplined so I decided to follow the plans from the Swimplan website for awhile an then take another lesson or two to touch base with a coach in a month. This way, I can go at my own speed, work on whatever I want to. Although I enjoyed the masters night and can definitely see the benefits, I also realized that they are far too busy to give me much, if any, one on one coaching. Not once did anyone correct my stroke, which is the main reason I want to go. If no one is going to correct me, I may as well swim on my own.

So today, I basically followed this plan. The ~ are extras I did on my own.

45-50 minutes, 1300m

Warm up
~ 4 X 25m kickboard
• 4 x 25m Any Stroke (even pace), rest 0:10 / 25m

Build up (repeat 4 times)
• 1 x 25m Single Arm (arm out front) 6 x left, 6 x right, 6 x full stroke, rest 0:10 / 25m
• 1 x 25m Freestyle Catch Up, rest 0:10 / 25m

Core
• 4 x 50m Freestyle Swim, leave on 01:45 / 50m
• 4 x 50m Freestyle Swim, leave on 01:40 / 50m
• 4 x 50m Freestyle Swim, leave on 01:35 / 50m

Warm down
• 2 x 50m Freestyle Push & Glide, rest 0:15 / 50m

Then because I still had time:
~ 2 x 25m breast stroke (maybe 4, can't remember)
~ 2 X 25m backstroke
~ 4 X 25m freestyle

HillSlugger

02-07-2008, 05:55 AM

This morning the pool was fairly quiet. I was sharing the wide end lane for a while and then had it all to myself. I swam 2000m and then worked on step 1 (http://www.goswim.tv/drilloftheweek_comments.php?id=5094_0_20_0_C) (and a tiny bit of step 2) of learning a fast open turn.

chickwhorips

02-07-2008, 07:26 AM

KG your doing an excellent job in the pool! GO YOU!

crazycanuck

02-07-2008, 02:24 PM

I decided to swim on me own this morning as i know i might not have tons of time this weekend. I was only in the pool for 1hr but did:

600m warm up
300 Finz
300 pull buoy
100 x3 easy, medium, fast
100 kick

I'll attempt to do a swim on sunday where i can work on just kicking and backstroke then go off and do some deep water running.

c

Jolt

02-07-2008, 06:06 PM

I know I swam 3,000 yards in 52 minutes myself today... that is with a 1:45, 100. To make 4,000 yards in one hour... I can't even think how fast someone would have to swim.

Then again, a lot of people make their IM swim (4200 yards) in around 1 hour.

3000 yds in 52 minutes--not bad at all! Certainly faster than I swim (my sort of "natural" pace is 500 yards in 10 minutes for freestyle, so that would bring me to an hour for that workout assuming I didn't switch up the strokes at all). I haven't done any swimming in a while so I'm sure I'd be slow now.

kelownagirl

02-09-2008, 01:58 PM

I like the length swim at noon on Saturdays. There were only 3 of us in the double 'medium' lane. It was nice. I swam for 55 minutes and did another swimplan workout. 1400 metres this time. I felt great.

Warm up
• 8 x 25m Any Stroke (even pace), rest 0:10 / 25m

Build up (repeat 4 times)
• 1 x 25m Single Arm with kickboard 6 x left, 6 x right, rest 0:10 / 25m
• 1 x 25m Freestyle Kick with kickboard, rest 0:10 / 25m

Core
• 4 x 100m Freestyle Swim, rest 0:30 / 100m
• 16 x 25m Freestyle DPS, rest 0:10 / 25m

Warm down
• 1 x 100m Freestyle Easy, rest 0:20 / 100m
• 1 x 100m Easy Any Stroke, rest 0:20 / 100m

jesvetmed

02-10-2008, 12:09 AM

Kelowna: WOW! I haven't been reading this thread religiously, but it seems you have increased your swimming distance very quickly! I'm so impressed. Great Job! :cool:

kelownagirl

02-10-2008, 08:50 AM

Thank you everyone. You make me feel good. If it wasn't for you ladies, I wouldn't believe in myself enough to think I could do it at all. Truly. :o

kelownagirl

02-11-2008, 08:08 PM

I did the same 1400m swim workout today. Felt pretty good but didn't feel as strong as I felt on Saurday. What? I can't improve every single time I swim?? :rolleyes:

On the good news front, I've been trying to figure out the best way to get a coach to give me feedback once a month or so. I have a teacher friend at work who's a triathlete and her hubby is a coach so I had thought about seeing if he does coaching on a 'once-in-awhile' basis but I know he's pretty busy with his serious triathlete clients. Suddenly realized that there's no reason why my friend herself couldn't give me a feedback. She's a competitive swimmer and an awesome triathlete (she's qualified for the worlds in the last two years) and although she's not a certified coach, she's certainly qualified enough to give li'l old me some direction. Anyway, I asked her today and she said she'd be happy to come down to the pool and give me pointers once in awhile. Yay!

kelownagirl

02-13-2008, 08:46 PM

Swam 1500m today. Similar workout. Felt ok but I'm tired today.

HillSlugger

02-14-2008, 06:01 AM

I've been going between speedwork days and distance days. Today I swam 2000m continuous, only the second time I've managed that. Unfortunately, I lost an earplug along the way. :p

btchance

02-15-2008, 08:23 AM

Well, I was out of training completely for about 2months due to various issues (school, work, burnt out), but since the end of December I have been gradually adding it all back in and am enjoying it again. This block I have increased my swimming to 2x / week.

Tuesday: swam 1100 with a mixture of 250yards freestyle then drills, repeat.

Thursday: I started using the swim workouts in the Gondolfo book so my workout for the day was:

w/u: 200yards free
main: 8 x 50 yards with 2x 50 swim, 2 x 50 kick, 2 x swim, 2 x kick
12 x 25 drill on odd lengths and freestyle on even lengths
10min continuous freestyle working on form and changing pace
c/d: 200yards switching between breast stroke and back stroke

It feels good to be back doing this again.

chickwhorips

02-16-2008, 06:20 PM

My swim from swimplan.com today:

Warm up
• 2 x 100m Freestyle Swim (kick every 4th 25m), rest 0:20 / 100m
Freestyle swim for 75m then kick with arms in a streamlined position for 25m.

Build up
• 2 x 100m Freestyle Swim (kick every 4th 25m), rest 0:20 / 100m
Freestyle swim for 75m then kick with arms in a streamlined position for 25m.

Core
• 1 x 1000m Freestyle Pull with a pull buoy, rest 0:60 / 1000m

Warm down
• 2 x 50m Freestyle Easy, rest 0:15 / 50m

After my upper body weights yesterday this one wore me out.

kelownagirl

02-16-2008, 11:20 PM

I did one too!

Did a 1400m workout plus 200m test to see how many meters I could do in 5 min.

Warm up
• 8 x 25m Any Stroke (even pace), rest 0:10 / 25m

Build up (repeat 4 times)
• 1 x 25m Streamline Kicking, rest 0:10 / 25m
• 1 x 25m Single Arm (arm by side) 6 x left, 6 x right, 6 x full stroke, rest 0:10 / 25m

Core (repeat 4 times)
• 4 x 25m Freestyle (25m Easy, 25m Effort), rest 0:10 / 25m
• 2 x 50m Freestyle Catch Up, rest 0:20 / 50m

Warm down (repeat 2 times)
• 1 x 50m Freestyle Push & Glide, rest 0:15 / 50m
• 1 x 50m Freestyle Easy, rest 0:15 / 50m

kelownagirl

02-17-2008, 07:44 PM

I have a hair question. Anyone have blonde highlights? What happens to your colour when you're in the pool so much? I need to get highlights back in my mousy brown hair and now that I'm swimming three times a week, I'm a little worried about turning green like my blondie daughters used to...

chickwhorips

02-17-2008, 08:13 PM

What helps me, I don't have blond but some color, is use a purifying shampoo and deep conditioner once a week. I am a HUGE fan of PureOlogy (http://www.pureology.com/). If your interested in trying some let me know. I can send you some at cost. Otherwise I know Aveda has a good one also.

Always wet your hair with "normal" water and put conditioner in it before you get in the pool. It acts like a barrier from the pool water.

kelownagirl

02-18-2008, 06:43 PM

Thanks Chick. I'll ask my hair dresser when I finally get in there to get this shaggy mop cut...

I went for a swim today. 1600m in about 50 minutes.

Warm up
• 4 x 50m Freestyle Swim (even pace), rest 0:15 / 50m

Build up (repeat 6 times)
• 1 x 25m Streamline Kicking with fins, rest 0:10 / 25m
• 1 x 25m Single Arm with fins (arm out front) 6 x left, 6 x right, 6 x full stroke, rest 0:10 / 25m

Core
• 4 x 50m Freestyle Bilateral Breathing, rest 0:15 / 50m
• 4 x 50m Freestyle DPS, rest 0:15 / 50m
• 4 x 50m Freestyle Push & Glide, rest 0:15 / 50m
• 4 x 50m Freestyle DPS, rest 0:15 / 50m

Warm down
• 4 x 50m Easy Any Stroke, rest 0:15 / 50m

Plus another 100m

teigyr

02-18-2008, 07:07 PM

I need to start working on defined workouts. Today I was in a small pool (20') and the dogpaddlers were wayward. I was tired anyway so I just warmed up, did some open water laps (no lane dividers so I just swam in circles), then worked on bilateral breathing. For a while, also, I practiced just breathing on my weak side.

It isn't as good as a structured workout but it was all I had the energy for :o And, it was 40 minutes of practice.

alpinerabbit

02-18-2008, 10:32 PM

We had another 1K time trial last night.

I moaned because the coach had said we did not have to do it if we did the one in January but then obliged.

I did 18:40.
The first 100 in 1:43
500 in 9:30 -

That means
a) a negative split (if one can talk about this in swimming)
b) I took off 2:10 from the January TT
c) all of that on the second 500!

I feel much stronger on the catch these days, have improved the push-through phase although I am sure that could be improved.

Wahine

02-19-2008, 11:55 AM

3100 m this morning. I nearly didn't go. There was a trange beeping sound in my house last night that I have yet to diagnose. I would wake up to the beep, then it would stop so I couldn't figure out what it was. I'd fall asleep and wake up again to the beep... Anyway, we're trying to up the speed and we're doing 200's, 100's and 50's. I was holding 44 to 45 on my 50s. I have a goal of breaking a 1:30 100. I think I'm getting close.

chickwhorips

02-19-2008, 12:06 PM

I would wake up to the beep, then it would stop so I couldn't figure out what it was.

If you have CO detector check that. We changed out all the smoke alarms one day and we still heard a beep. It was the CO detector. Who knew.

Good job for getting up and going!

Wahine

02-19-2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks Chick. I think that all of our smoke detectors etc are hard wired into the house. But I'm wondering if they still have batteries for back up that might be the problem?

Pika

02-19-2008, 01:45 PM

We did 3000m today, great breakthru for DH as I had made a comment that the guy in the next lane sounded like a whale when he breathed- I think he sings or ??? actually I don't know what he does but I can hear him a lane over- anyway DH then realized that he gets concentrating on a skill and starts holding his breath so by the time he gets to the end he can't catch his breath at all!
I was very very happy for DH and Mr whale who inadvertantly helped DH:)
Also an older woman joined us- she said we were setting a good pace- by older I mean late 70's - guilted DH into finishing all the sets instead of slacking- was good allround day at the pool:):)

KSH

02-19-2008, 02:23 PM

I got up at 5:30 AM and went to swimming this morning. :)

We had some basic speed sets... and then we did some mass start race simulation.

The pool that we swim at has a shallow end that is like a beach. The concrete starts very shallow and gradually gets deeper.

So we lined up... and ran into the water and then started swimming when it got too deep. It was fun! I loved pushing people out of my way.

Although, one big guy was not moving. By accident I put my hand flat on his butt and shoved. Ooopsss! I bet he felt all molested after that.

Otherwise, when we turned around and swam down the lane... I was behind a couple of guys and I just played with their feet the whole time. What fun!

I like getting aggressive in the water.

chickwhorips

02-20-2008, 09:20 AM

I got up and was in the pool by 5:30 this morning! :eek: It was nice, until the older water aerobic crowd pushed me out of my lane. :(

250 m warm up
500 m free
500 m free w/fins
I only got in a 150 m cool down before they kicked me out.

It felt good to get up and accomplish something that early. Good swim, but my brain wanted to go faster than the rest of me did.

kelownagirl

02-20-2008, 09:58 AM

Running at 5:30 I can do. Swimming? :eek::eek: Too cold that early in the morning....

crazycanuck

02-20-2008, 02:24 PM

I normally swim at 5:45 am with our group. That means waking up at 4:15am :o as it takes me 1/2hr to drive to the pool.

I can't run in the mornings as my stomach does wacky things :eek:..I won't be running for a while..:o

Great session this morning :D. I'll try and repeat some of what we did today tomorrow on my own.

Pika

02-20-2008, 06:05 PM

Wow! to be at the pool at 545- that is impressive! Actually maybe if it was just me I could get there- but DH is NOT a morning person so I start the waking process at 5.30 and we have yet to get to the pool by 700 usually manage by 7.15-7.30- oh well neither of us have to be at work early so we can still get our workout in.

kelownagirl

02-20-2008, 08:21 PM

I went swimmin' this afternoon. I didn't think I was going slow, in fact, I thought I was swimming more steadily than normal, but I ran out of time and didn't finish my swim plan. I wonder if I lost count and did more lengths than I thought - I do that a lot. How do you keep track of how many lengths you've done? I must be so distractible... :rolleyes:

alpinerabbit

02-21-2008, 12:08 AM

Alphabet soup.

I swim either one or two lanes with the letter "a" rotating in my mind. Then b... and I calculate ahead of time where I will end up.
It's easier to keep track of letters than numbers. Like this, I can remember my lanes even in a 25m pool.

Wahine

02-21-2008, 04:45 AM

I do something similiar except with digits. Right hand first: Thumb, index, middle... You get the idea.

Pika

02-21-2008, 05:19 AM

I just keep repeating where I am as I turn this is 50 this is 50, etc then I always look at the timeclock- it gives me some idea of where I'm at too esp useful if I am repeating sets.

chickwhorips

02-21-2008, 06:36 AM

I break it down to 500s which I only count when I hit the wall I started on up to 10 and then start over again for the next 500. I'll even lose count when I'm counting to 20, but for some reason I can figure out where I'm at by doing that.

KSH

02-21-2008, 06:41 AM

I wonder if I lost count and did more lengths than I thought - I do that a lot. How do you keep track of how many lengths you've done? I must be so distractible... :rolleyes:

At every 50, after my flip turn, I call out under water, "50"... "100"... "150".

For some reason, saying it outloud, even if underwater... helps me keep track.

I also have a workout written on an index card in a plastic baggie propped up on my water bottle. So, I might be doing 3,000 yards... but I have sets. For example, 4x100. So, that is 400 total. But I don't have to remember ALL the yardage I have done. It's written down. I just have to know where I'm at in the workout.

Now, when I have had to do like... 10x100... I put pennies out on a kickboard and I move a penny each time a 100 is done.

But for long sets... like a straight 1,000.. I just call out underwater.

HillSlugger

02-21-2008, 07:08 AM

I use a SportCount (http://www.sportcount.com/) (can never have too many gadgets!)

chickwhorips

02-21-2008, 07:11 AM

I saw that sportcount! One of the girls at the pool had that and I thought it was pretty dang neat. I want that and the underwater mp3 player for long continuous swims.

HillSlugger

02-21-2008, 08:04 AM

I have the one that counts laps and nothing else.

Pika

02-21-2008, 09:30 AM

That sport count looks neat but I think it would drive me crazy.. I can't even stand having my watch on since it feels different side to side- guess I'll have to keep counting in my head:( too bad since I LOVE gadgets:)
Managed to get 3000 m in today- only the last 400 was a pain since we got squished into 2 lanes since the aquasize class started at 8.30- thank goodness we were pretty much finished by then.

kelownagirl

02-25-2008, 07:22 PM

I want one. Just call me Madame Inspector Gadget.

I was late getting to the pool because my dentist appt ran late so I only got 25 minutes in. Did a warm up then decided to see how many lengths I could do in the last 10:00 (or how many I could do before I had to stop for a breath. I managed to do 300m in 10:30. Unfortunately it was 6pm by then and I had to get out. I'm sure I could have done at least another 100m. I can't wait until Wednesday. I'll try for 400m then.

btchance

02-26-2008, 05:05 AM

Swam 1500 yards yesterday morning. I swam in the part that has no lane dividers, just the black line on the bottom to keep you straight so I was dealing with quite a bit of waves. Good practice for the tri, right? Tomorrow I'm supossed to join the tri-swim class at the gym. We'll see how that goes.

Pika

02-28-2008, 09:25 AM

I just do 2 swims per week- I repeat the same workout on the second day- it is easy for me to see if I'm improving then or just having a easier time the second go around
Today it was 2000
200 swim
100 kick
200 drill/ swim by 50

4x 75 descending repeat 3 times
2 x 200 swim 150 moderate 50 hard

200 cool down
Felt easy today so that was nice:)

btchance

02-29-2008, 04:54 PM

Swam 1500 on Wednesday in about :45 minutes, rests included. Felt pretty good once I got warmed up. Had planned to w/o with the Tri stroke class at 5:30, so I drug myself out there in the snow flurries in AL to get there, and there was only 1 other person in the pool even though I was a little late, so I just worked out on my own. After I got ready to go to work, I looked back out in the pool area and it looked like the Tri class was going on about 1 - 1:30 hour after it was scheduled. Grrrr!! No notice of the time being changed, so I don't know what happened. I'm going to check into it before next week, though.

alpinerabbit

03-01-2008, 04:24 AM

2K today, just slow and steady. I am more than happy that these days, swimming 2K is merely a matter of willpower.

kelownagirl

03-01-2008, 01:40 PM

Whoo hooo!! After my warmup, my goal today was to swim 400m without stopping (up from my 300m last week.) I managed the the 400m in 10:20 but felt good so I kept on going until I'd done 750-800m in 21:00 even!! :D:D:D:D:D I may have lost count at the very end so I'm not entirely sure if I actually made it to 800m like I though but I'll take the 750m happily because that's what I have to do in ther tri. (Of course, that will be in the lake, in a wet suit, with hundreds of other people kicking and splashing me...:eek:)

Oh happy day!!!!

Wahine

03-01-2008, 05:19 PM

Yipppppeeeeeee KG!!

Pika

03-01-2008, 07:15 PM

wow! Good work KG!- Your swimming is coming along great!

crazycanuck

03-02-2008, 07:36 PM

I'd like to ask how one can do a flip turn without wooziness..Moons ago we were taught how but the wooziness caused me to stop.

Any suggestions??

I had a great swim this mornin! I think i mis counted on a few of my sets and did more than i had planned in my head. 1hr..

kelownagirl

03-02-2008, 07:40 PM

I've never tried one - not ready to go there yet but here's an interesting video I watched about the various stages of learning to do a flip turn.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1388

crazycanuck

03-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Ta KG :)

HillSlugger

03-03-2008, 06:14 AM

I'm not even going to attempt to learn a flip turn. Instead, I've been working on learning a fast open turn:

Lesson 1 (http://www.goswim.tv/drilloftheweek_comments.php?id=5094_0_20_0_C)
Lesson 2 (http://www.goswim.tv/drilloftheweek_comments.php?id=5119_0_20_0_C)
Lesson 3 (http://www.goswim.tv/drilloftheweek_comments.php?id=5134_0_20_0_C)
Lesson 4 (http://www.goswim.tv/drilloftheweek_comments.php?id=5147_0_20_0_C)

kelownagirl

03-03-2008, 07:20 PM

Cool links MDHS - thanks! I'm going to try that when I'm finally ready to speed up.

I went for my last swim for the next 2-3 weeks. Tomorrow I get laser eye surgery and won't be allowed to swim for 2 weeks, and then I'll be away for a week so may not get in the pool again until the end of the month.

Anyhoo - I am happy to say I swam 1000m without stopping today. I think I've finally 'got it". I'm sure my technique needs work etc but I am feeling much more comfortable and confident in the water now. I did 400m warm up then the 1000m in about 25 minutes, which is pretty steadily 2.5 min per 100m. I'm good with that for now. It means I could theoretically do the 750m tri in under 20 minutes. Theoretically... :rolleyes: Maybe I can learn to swim faster now??

1600m altogether today.

Wahine

03-03-2008, 08:44 PM

Listen to you casually mentioning your first 1000 m straight like it's nooooooo big deal. That's HUGE!!

alpinerabbit

03-03-2008, 10:28 PM

So how long did it take you to reach 1000m? like 3 Months?! You'll perfect your techinque and build endurance like * this, and shave off minutes.

we, on the other foot, had to do a hard set of 10*100 at "speed" (whatever that is for the individual). Then some sprints and because it was so nice, some more sprints, and "fartlek". Then a set with paddles until my arms were burning....
I dunno. I never think I can finish it until I'm halfway done and it's going "downhill". I'm such a whimp. At least I allowed myself some food before (trying hard to lose some flab) and that helped me survive.

HillSlugger

03-04-2008, 05:52 AM

I did a 1200m set today where I swam each 4th length fast. I didn't expect it to be as hard as it was. It felt like it was as much an exercise in breathe control as anything else because of the need to get the breathing back down to normal right after swimming fast, while still swimming. I did 2300m total for the morning.

kelownagirl

03-04-2008, 07:15 AM

So how long did it take you to reach 1000m? like 3 Months?! You'll perfect your techinque and build endurance like * this, and shave off minutes.

I just checked. 7 1/2 weeks since my first lesson on January 9. :)

HillSlugger

03-04-2008, 07:36 AM

It took me like 10 months! :rolleyes:

Pika

03-04-2008, 11:13 AM

Wow-KG 7 1/2 weeks!!! You are a fast learner!
We did a run/swim brick this am- 30 min easy run followed by 2000m swim- Swim seemed to take forever though
20 25's stroke count
8 50's kick
8 100 pull
+ warmup cool down

KSH

03-04-2008, 12:03 PM

Well, I have a 40-minute swim scheduled for tonight. I could do various sets, or I could just do a straight swim.

I'm tempted to get in and just swim for 40 minutes without stopping. It's very zen-like for me. I find a groove and just cruise.

crazycanuck

03-04-2008, 06:57 PM

I decided this morning that i'd just do a long swim & do all the drills with our group tomorrow morning.

So, i did 1000m non stop then 500 backstroke. I just wanted to swim as i'm not cycling for a few days.

Fingers crossed on the 1k open water swim @ the end of the month :)

kelownagirl

03-05-2008, 12:48 PM

OK, since my swim suit now has almost 25,000m on it, how do I wash it? I must admit, I just rinse it in the shower every day and hang it to try. :eek::rolleyes::o

alpinerabbit

03-05-2008, 02:01 PM

40°C, regular detergent or 30°C, wool detergent - whichever comes first. New Swimsuits are always fun.

chickwhorips

03-06-2008, 01:45 PM

I got up this morning again and swam before work.

500 Free
500 Free w/fins
500 Backstroke down/Free spring back
150 mermaid (kick like a mermaid on my back using mainly my core)

crazycanuck

03-07-2008, 01:52 AM

Hey kids,

Any tips for open water swimming? I guess i'll venture over to Beginner Tri to see..

HillSlugger

03-07-2008, 06:03 AM

Hey kids,

Any tips for open water swimming? I guess i'll venture over to Beginner Tri to see..

That question is a bit open ended...what kind of advice are you looking for?

HillSlugger

03-07-2008, 06:05 AM

I had a great swim this morning! I did a pyramid (100,200,300, 400,500,400,300,200,100). I felt smooth. I felt fast. I did the whole thing at a bit under 2min/100m. Why can't they all feel this good?

Wahine

03-07-2008, 09:15 AM

My advice:

Step 1 - go out and breast stroke. Step 2 - once comfortable with breast stroke and no longer freaking out start to throw in some freestyle. Step 3 - learn to sight on an object on the shore line about every 6 strokes so you swim in a straight line. Step 4 - go out and swim with buddies who will beat the living daylights out of you while you repeat steps 1 through 3.

Of course, you should always be swimming with a friend anyway. You don't have to make it through all the steps in one session, or even master 1 in one session.

alpinerabbit

03-07-2008, 11:39 AM

Step 4 - go out and swim with buddies who will beat the living daylights out of you while you repeat steps 1 through 3

ROFL. The washing machine drill?

alpinerabbit

03-11-2008, 07:30 AM

Hey -

last night was an exercise in mental bravery:
we had no coach and only 4 folks showed up to a "paper" workout.

It consisted, after warmup and some tech drils, of a main set of 10x200 (last 5 with paddles).
I coulda quit early but I did not.

chickwhorips

03-11-2008, 07:37 AM

I coulda quit early but I did not.

Good Job! It takes more to stay when you know you can leave, but it is even more satisfying to stay.

Wahine

03-11-2008, 08:48 AM

Yay Alpine. Now that's dedication.

I swam a 100 in 1:30 this morning for the first time ever.:D:D:D

*AND* it was at the end of the workout.:D:D:D

rocknrollgirl

03-16-2008, 06:49 AM

I am still babying my elbow, but I did a nice easy workout in the pool today, easy 200's. It feels so good to be in the pool again, even if I have to suffer for it later.:)

Kimmyt

03-16-2008, 07:12 AM

I want one of these (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=31823), but they don't make them in adult sizes and my head is probably too big for a junior. :(

Wahine

03-16-2008, 08:06 AM

Kimmy, I've been looking at those too. I really want one. I think it would hysterical at masters.

I swam 4 days at the pool this week. I've never done that before. I've probably swam 4 days in one week but in OW not in the pool.

That's what happens when you hurt your leg.

chickwhorips

03-16-2008, 09:26 AM

I've contemplated if my head would fit in one of those swim caps for a while. Now that I cut my hair I don't have to cram that in a cap anymore maybe it would.

I kicked around in the pool yesterday. Tried to rotate my arm a bit but learned quick I couldn't. It was just nice to be active for a bit.

Starfish

03-16-2008, 10:16 AM

Why on earth wouldn't they make the Fish Fins cap in adult sizes!?! :confused:

I LOVE that!

This is fun, but not NEARLY as fun as the fish. I also really liked the cheetah print, but I don't think I have what it takes, yet, to declare myself a cheetah-of-the-water! :rolleyes:

http://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=8707&Click=469813

PS: Can someone tell me how to create a link without inserting the whole link? Like having the word "this" just be the link? Like with Kimmyt's earlier Fish Fins post/link?

rocknrollgirl

03-16-2008, 12:49 PM

I have a pea head, I betcha one of those would fit me....

chickwhorips

03-16-2008, 01:08 PM

I have this one (http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/2396.htm) because I haven't tried the fish one yet.

HillSlugger

03-16-2008, 01:11 PM

Starfish

03-16-2008, 01:17 PM

Highlight the word "this" then click on the earth/link symbol then paste in the the link.

Ah...thank you. But, what is with this (http://www.headcovers.com/11184/speedo-creature-swim-cap-for-boys/) for "boys" and this (http://www.headcovers.com/11053/speedo-creature-swim-cap-for-girls/) for "girls"??? :mad:

And, why are all the cute ones for kids!?! :confused:

rocknrollgirl

03-19-2008, 01:56 PM

I found the cheetah print in blue today at REI for......drumroll.....3 dollars! and they had a very badass skull and cross bones pirate cap too, but I went girlie...

Wahine

03-19-2008, 03:41 PM

RnR - SCORE!! I need a new swim cap I think. Time for a change.

I swam a 1:27 100 this AM. :D:D:D

I'm tired now though. Zzzzzzzz.

Wahine

03-20-2008, 07:45 PM

We had IM day at Masters. My main set looked like this:

8 x 25 IM order on 20 sec rest
3 x 200 IM on 25 sec rest
6 x 150 done as 100 IM pushing the breast stroke and adding an extra 50 free
then we cooled down.

The best thing was that I was able to do all the intended fly parts as fly, the whole way, even on the 200s. Total fly distance today = 350 m. OK, I'm sorry I calculated that. It doesn't sound nearly so impressive as I thought. But a PR anyway.

Starfish

03-20-2008, 07:53 PM

Total fly distance today = 350 m. OK, I'm sorry I calculated that. It doesn't sound nearly so impressive as I thought. But a PR anyway.

It sounds very impressive to me. Last year, I got in the pool and did some swimming for a few weeks, when I hadn't been in a pool for several years. It was humbling, but I built up, and was enjoying myself.

Well, IM used to be one of my events, a million years ago. I thought, heck, I've been swimming, and I've been using the paddles, etc. I think I'll just see how a little fly feels.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

It was horrifying. Really couldn't do it anymore. Had to revert to one-arm-fly.

I think 350 fly sounds interminable. Nice job!! :D

Wahine

03-20-2008, 07:57 PM

You know Starfish, I struggle so much with my other strokes that a 2000 m day with a lot of IM is more tiring to me than twice that distance freestyle. I cannot for the life of me understand how it is possible to even swim a 400m fly, let alone excel at it.:eek:

alpinerabbit

04-02-2008, 12:53 AM

ouch...

my club mates, all in HIM or IM training, are taking off left and right of me.

It was a struggle to keep up this week, when I used to have less trouble. I'll just need to learn to live with that.

chickwhorips

04-02-2008, 08:11 AM

I got up this morning and hit the pool.

I swam a 2000m continuously. My longest distance without stopping. :D I feel really good about it. Wasn't the fastest time, but I was just happy I did it.

wavedancer

04-02-2008, 06:10 PM

I am getting to the pool 3 mornings a week to relearn how to swim! I never felt comfortable doing freestyle, although I love being in the water doing a leisurely backstroke or breast stroke. I've been doing TI drills and am beginning to feel relaxed and balanced with my stroking. But the rhythmic breathing part is really challenging! I still can only go about a length and a half without stopping and catching my breath. As frustrating as that is, I LOVE the process of discovery as I am learning. One more way to dance in the water :D

kelownagirl

04-02-2008, 06:32 PM

I went to the pool today for the first supper time swim since SPring Break and I was severely disappointed to find out they have cancelled the 5-6pm lane swim time! The only lane swims they have now are during my work hours (oh, and at 6am, I think not). I can swim on the weekends but not my 2 weeknights times. I have two choices - they have one lane open during public swimming from 7-8:30 every night (but I imagine that will be busy since there will be lots of displaced swimmers now), and there are two adult swims a week from 8:30-9:30. I chose not to do Master's swim time because it was from 8:30-9:30 as well and that was just not working for me.

Ugh. Ugh. And I just bought a 3 month swim pass (I'm sure I can get my money back if I want though.) There is another pool in town but it's a 35 min drive away. I guess I will check their schedule, and/or try to public swim time from 7-8... More ugh.

KSH

04-03-2008, 06:47 AM

Wahine

04-03-2008, 06:55 AM

I get up for masters and I am not a morning person. The trick is to have everything ready to go the night before, roll out of bed, grab coffee, get dressed and teeth brushed and out the door. This takes me about 20 min if I organize ahead. Then I can be in the pool in the AM, get one workout done and feel good about my day before I even get to work.

It might be harder for KG though as she has a child at home that may still need a lot of input to get hime off to school successfully.

Speaking of masters. I swam my fastest 100 m ever this AM.:D:D

alpinerabbit

04-03-2008, 07:13 AM

I'll try that next week.
I have to or else I will fall miserably behind everyone else.

Why is it that I am chicken to sign up for an Oly if I know I can do the distance - just because I will have to try a bit to avoid back of the pack? Geez.

The other big pool in the city is minutes from where I work and I have a year round pass. So in at 7, at work at 8, freshly blow dried and all.

kelownagirl

04-03-2008, 11:27 AM

Why not at 6:00 AM?

I really hate mornings, but I drag myself out of bed at 5:30 AM, 1-2 days a week, and I go swim. Sure, it's miserable getting up. But once I'm in the water and moving, it's not bad at all. And my 7:00 AM I am awake.

Maybe try it once, if your work schedule permits.

I could probably make myself get up and swim at 6am if it was my only choice, but we are trying hard to live with one car and I have a ten year old son who I have to get ready for school in the mornings. If I swam from 6-7, the earliest I could get home would be 7:30. DH and son and I leave for school at 7:45. It would mean my hubby would have to be responsible for my son two mornings a week. Once awhile is ok, but I'm not sure I'm ready to foist that upon him on a regular basis.

I've been looking into the YMCA and although it's a further drive, they have an awesome program and 6am - 10pm lane swimming everyday and free fitness classes and much more. I think I might join there... My son could even swim after school while I do lane swimming.

rocknrollgirl

04-06-2008, 12:28 PM

I hate being held captive by the hours at the pool. My pool does not open until 6:30. It is very hard for the working folks to get a workout in and get to work on time. The latest I can get to school and not be late is 7:25. That does not leave much time. If they would only open at 6, it would make it so much easier for the working members, but they do not want to hear it.

Nov-mid Feb the swim teams are there, and it is closed from 3 pm until closing. No open lanes. So those months I can only swim on w/e. Not that big a deal because it falls during a slow time of the season, but I like to swim and it pisses me off.

I just try to work around it as best I can and not get too ticked off. A few more weeks and I will start swimming OWS once a week. I am looking forward to that. As long as it is above 57 degrees we are good to go.

firenze11

04-06-2008, 01:45 PM

I hate being held captive by the hours at the pool. My pool does not open until 6:30. It is very hard for the working folks to get a workout in and get to work on time. The latest I can get to school and not be late is 7:25. That does not leave much time. If they would only open at 6, it would make it so much easier for the working members, but they do not want to hear it.

I was just thinking the same thing. I'm moving next month and I have to go pool shopping. One nearby town has a huge new fitness facility with an 8 lane pool but they only have lane swim starting at 11 am. :rolleyes: Part of me is wondering why they would build this nice big pool with 8 lanes if working people can't get in it before or after work.

When I lived in Maryland and took swimming lessons as a kid I went to this huge aquatic center. There was a splash pool area, a diving area, and I think about 10 dedicated lanes always open for lane swim. It was pretty nice to have that available.

Tri training starts Tuesday so I'll be able to post some of my swim adventures!

kelownagirl

04-06-2008, 03:13 PM

Well I think my problem has largely been solved. I checked out the YMCA yesterday and it was wonderful. I have never seen the strength and cardio workout sections before. I had a tour and went for a swim. The showers were hot which was a plus right off the bat. :)

It was actualyl only an extra 7 minutes of driving.

The lane swimming is availabl from 6am to 10 pm. Wow.

The cost is about $12 a month more than my current swim pass but I would have access to all the gym stuff, free land and water workout classes, and a discount for my son (only $5 a month for his membership.)

They have public swimming from 12-5 everyday so I could take him with me and he could have lessons or play while I swim.

It's only 3km away from the TT route so DH could bring the bike and he could ride while I swim.

There is a huge set of sports fields next door so I could also run on grass before or after if I wanted to.

Finally, for the piece de resistance - for an extra $15 a month, I could have access to the special upstairs changerooms. Carpeted, clean, bright, no kids, bigger lockers, TV, computer with internet, coffee maker, swimsuit spin dryer, towels, showers, shampoo/conditioner - the list goes on and on. DH said I should go for the upgrade. I like him. :D

So anyway, I have a free week trial to see if I like it and I'm pretty sure I'm going to make the switch.

HillSlugger

04-06-2008, 04:18 PM

That sounds like an amazing facility, and it's a YMCA?!? What a find!

kelownagirl

04-06-2008, 05:27 PM

Yeah it is the Y. I've been there before but usually avoid it because it's further away from my house. However, I am still waiting for the new pool to open in March 2009. It'll be operated by the Y and has a 50m pool as well as fitness centre, wave pool, waterslides yadda yadda. Hopefully they'll be able to separate the tourists etc from the real swimmers when they come up with membership plans....

kelownagirl

04-06-2008, 05:27 PM

And did I mention I can meet with a personal trainer/coach once every 8 weeks? :) :)

Wahine

04-06-2008, 05:30 PM

KG - that sounds really great. Take advantage of that deal!!

jesvetmed

04-06-2008, 10:22 PM

KG: TAKE IT TAKE IT TAKE IT!
Do you know I pay $58/month for the very same here!? (No, it's not a typo... $58). No other real options, as our YMCA doesn't have much for workout room, etc. The other gym in town is icky and has no pool. So I put up with it. And I LOVE my yoga class there. But you have a screaming deal! Wow! Kelowna is looking better and better all the time!:)

rocknrollgirl

04-07-2008, 01:23 AM

That is a great deal. My pool is reasonably priced, I pay 25 dollars a month, but all I get is the pool, and a small, spartan locker room, Oh and bad hours. There is another pool in town, it is 50 a month and is disgusting.

HillSlugger

04-07-2008, 06:32 AM

Several months ago I bought a used wetsuit here on TE. Today marks the first time I've tried swimming in it. With a triathlon just 2 weeks away it's about time. It was a bit strange; I can't believe how buoyant I was!

When I first hopped into the pool I didn't feel water rushing in anywhere, but as I started stroking I could feel it getting in, but I'm not sure if it was coming in at the wrists, the neck, or through the material at the shoulders. With each stroke I could then feel it moving around the arms. Is this normal?

The pool was too warm today to swim for long in the suit, so after 200m I practiced running up the steps and stripping out of it. Even though this suit has zippers at the ankles I was surprised how hard it was to get my feet out. Any tricks I should know? I'm really glad I didn't wait until race day to try this, and I'll probably do it again at least once or twice more before the race.

kelownagirl

04-07-2008, 09:55 AM

I can't wait to try swimming in a wetsuit. I haven't bought one yet and probably won't until the lake warms up a bit (July?). Then I figured I might swim in it once a week to get used to it. I am still freaked about OWS so I figure I can use all the practice I can get. Thanks for the info MD - I am wondering how that will efel@

rocknrollgirl

04-07-2008, 03:25 PM

When I get in the water with my wetsuit on, I let it fill up from the neck. When that water warms up, it contributes to the warmth of the suit. When I exit the lake during practice, I like to stand and let it run out of the bottom on my feet. It feels like bathtub water.

I can't wait to get outside. Even when it is really cold, once I get going I feel fine.

kelownagirl

04-07-2008, 05:03 PM

We went to the YMCA after school today. I swam 1200m, my son played and swam on his own, and my husband took his bike and did the TT route. everyone was happy! And we were home before 6. Usually I don't get home from swimming until after 6:30 and my boys are waiting and hungry. :)

As for my swimming, it was only my 2nd swim since my eye surgery so I am feeling winded after each length again. I rested after every 25 or 50 m and then did the last 200m straight through. I'm sure it won't take me more than a 4-5 swims to get back to where I was. I think I need some lessons again though. I'm not sure if I'm swimming efficiently. Everyone else is always passing me. :rolleyes::o:D

firenze11

04-09-2008, 06:08 AM

I did my first tri training swim yesterday. I got to the pool at 6:30 am and all the lanes were pretty full. I ended up lucking out a bit after one man got out and shared with the woman who arrived at the same time I did. I offered to take the wall. After a little while when someone left the fast lane she moved over and I was left with my own lane. :) (I just hope I didn't do anything to make her want to leave :o) Oddly, no one follows the lane signs at the pool.

I tried some TI drills and alternated between freestyle and breast stroke. I did my very first 75m of straight freestyle without stopping in 1:00. I'm happy with that. I could have pushed myself and done 100m but I want to take it a bit slow and concentrate on my stroke.

On Monday my hips were feeling tight and I did some stretches. Yesterday, after the pool, my hips felt sore and then kept waking me up last night. I guess I'll have to watch out for that.

Overall it was a great workout and I felt really energized afterwards!

alpinerabbit

04-09-2008, 06:32 AM

Ye gods - you intend to say you swim 100 m in 1.20?

Want to know what it looks like in our city pool?

4 - 50m lanes. On any given night, 1-2 lanes are taken up by classes, masters, police squad, life guards-in-training, aqua fit, synchronous swimmers.
Then there is the 5th, broad lane with everyone going in whatever direction, aqua joggers, people stroll-swimming while gossiping and taking extended rests on the walls.

Monday it was 3 out of 4 lanes blocked....
Lane 4 was shared by an average of 10 swimmers going in circles. That’s what I deal with. After 8pm another lane opened up for tempo swimmers. That's why I joined the tri club, to have a lane of our own, but that's in a 25m pool out in the suburbs.

At least they are open now until 10.30 pm. Not that I ever go so late.

firenze11

04-09-2008, 07:11 AM

Oh my goodness, I will stop complaining about my pool now! I can't imagine sharing a lane with 10 people. I was just surprised to see so many people there yesterday. Every other time I've gone it's been very very quiet. One of the pools in the town I'm moving to has a "Ladies Group Swim." I thought that was interesting. I guess it helps keep the social swimmers happy and the lane swimmers happy.

Ye gods - you intend to say you swim 100 m in 1.20?

Well I didn't actually swim the last 25m. So barring drowning or getting tired and slowing down (both of which are possible - well maybe not drowning) I guess theoretically I could have swum a 1:20 100m. I also could be wrong, maybe I swam a 2:00 75m. But I'm pretty sure it was 1:00. :o I'll try again Thursday and see what happens.

alpinerabbit

04-09-2008, 12:21 PM

I went for an hour today. There were so many slow folks in the fast lane that I went in as well.

I'm sure a couple (say the only 2 "fast" guys) were p.o.'ed at all the rest. Actually the lifeguard suggested to one girl she did not belong in that lane. Lucky that girl was not me.

I did my cool down in the other lane and the real problem is the breast strokers who are difficult to pass.

kelownagirl

04-09-2008, 02:05 PM

Oh my goodness, I will stop complaining about my pool now! I can't imagine sharing a lane with 10 people. I was just surprised to see so many people there yesterday. Every other time I've gone it's been very very quiet. One of the pools in the town I'm moving to has a "Ladies Group Swim." I thought that was interesting. I guess it helps keep the social swimmers happy and the lane swimmers happy.

Well I didn't actually swim the last 25m. So barring drowning or getting tired and slowing down (both of which are possible - well maybe not drowning) I guess theoretically I could have swum a 1:20 100m. I also could be wrong, maybe I swam a 2:00 75m. But I'm pretty sure it was 1:00. :o I'll try again Thursday and see what happens.

It takes me 30-40 seconds per 25m. I can't flip turn so it takes me about 1:15 to do 50m and 2:15-2:30 to do 100m. Of course I'm slow...

rocknrollgirl

04-09-2008, 02:34 PM

100 in 1:20 would be pretty fast, unless you were a swimmer in school that is. For the average multisport athlete that would be fast. At least from what I have experienced.

Wahine

04-09-2008, 05:10 PM

kelownagirl

04-09-2008, 06:25 PM

I went for a good swim today. Did about 1200m in 45 min. I swam about 400m in warmup and drills and then did 750m straight without stopping. It felt good to be have that feeling back again. And it only took me 3 swims to get back to where I was. Thank goodness. :) Oh and I bought my membership today so I got to use the cushy change rooms. Oh it was so nice. No one else was there either so I had the whole place to myself. And the towels are nice so I won't have to haul mine there any more. And since it's adults only, I don't have to
be careful when I change (I'm already running into students at the pool....)

KSH

04-09-2008, 07:34 PM

(It sucks when you get on the bike and everyone starts passing you though).

HA! Yea it does!

rocknrollgirl

04-10-2008, 01:24 AM

I thought that was a fast time. I am usually out of the water in the top of the pack and the fastest I have ever done it in the pool is about 1:35....1:20 would be smokin'

And just for the record, for me all of the passing happens on the run...such a bummer......

firenze11

04-10-2008, 07:14 AM

Kelownagirl - Congrats on getting back to where you were after 3 swims. . .and on the awesome new cushy locker room. It's nice to have a locker room that doesn't feel like a germ factory!

I had my second workout in the pool today. I did mostly continuous swimming today which, for me, is a huge breakthrough. A few months ago I couldn't even do 25m without feeling like I couldn't breathe It was pretty exhausting though and I kept an eye on my pace just to see if Tuesday was a total fluke or me not timing properly.

I think Tuesday did actually happen. . .but but but it was the only really tiring thing I did during that workout. I was mostly doing drills and easy freestyle with a lot of breast stroking. I highly doubt I could have held that pace even in the remaining 25 m so I really doubt I can do a 1:20 100.

Today I was consistently doing 25 second 25m and did a 1:43 100 and at the end I checked again and was much much slower (and so tired) and did 1:50 100m.

I'm just happy I don't feel like the pool is going to eat me anymore. And I know OW is a whole other monster I have to learn to deal with. :) And then there's the being passed by the better cyclists and runners once I make it out of the water. What an adventure this all is.

Starfish

04-10-2008, 08:08 AM

A 1 min 75m is fast. My best 100 m ever was a 1:24, I swim more like 1:40 in comp and that puts me among the faster triathletes for sure. (It sucks when you get on the bike and everyone starts passing you though).

OK. I gotta start doing Tri's. ;)

But, here is a question from a total non-triathlete...bear with me...how important is the swim in how you finish a tri? If I am great in the swim, mediocre or average in the bike, and sucky at running...I am assuming I will not be great in triathlons...are the bike and run a lot more important than the swim?

ETA: Oops, I realize I might have just started a thread drift...please let me know if this belongs in a different thread.

HillSlugger

04-10-2008, 08:25 AM

OK. I gotta start doing Tri's. ;)

But, here is a question from a total non-triathlete...bear with me...how important is the swim in how you finish a tri? If I am great in the swim, mediocre or average in the bike, and sucky at running...I am assuming I will not be great in triathlons...are the bike and run a lot more important than the swim?

ETA: Oops, I realize I might have just started a thread drift...please let me know if this belongs in a different thread.

To make a grand sweeping generalization, swimming tends to be the hardest part for most triathletes. If you are a good swimmer you can really come out ahead from the swim. However, the swim is, time-wise, the shortest segment of a triathlon. So, it's easy to lose what you gained in the swim if you're weak at running or biking.

Wahine

04-10-2008, 11:54 AM

Starfish - the swim is the shortest portion by time and therefore does not gain you a lot in terms of overall placing unless you are able to hold a decent time in the bike and the run. The bike is the longest portion by time, so there is a lot to be gained by being a good cyclist. The most important factor for the swim is effort level. If you swim well and finish decently, then you have a much better chance of biking well because you're not totally thrashed from the swim. There's a little saying that goes like this:

You can't win a triathlon in the swim, but you can sure as heck lose one.

Or something like that.

Numbers on an Oly:

Jane swims 2:00/100 = 30:00
Bikes 30 kph = 1:20:00
Runs 5 min km = 50:00

If she improves by 10% on each event what does she gain?

Swim = 1:48/100 = 27:00
Bike = 33 kph = 1:13:00 ish
Run = 4:30 min km = 45:00

So you gain 3 min on the swim, 7 min on the bike and 5 min on the run for the same percentage of improvement. And you might know from experience that gaining 10% in the pool is a lot harder than gaining 10% on the bike.

Starfish

04-10-2008, 07:03 PM

This is quite helpful, thank you. I think I'm sunk. I can swim, but I have to admit, I find it quite hard to improve speed on the bike, to tell you the truth. And, even if my knee can handle running, I will NEVER be fast there.

*sigh* kinda got my hopes up! :rolleyes:

Wahine

04-10-2008, 08:52 PM

Starfish - you don't have to be fast, just tenacious and we all know that you're that!!:D:D You could totally do a tri. You would swim well and be comfortable in the water, get out and bike the best you can which would be just fine and relax on the run, enjoy the scenery, cheer people on and walk /jog your way in. Done. No problem.

Really you could do it. You need to read "Slow Fat Triathlete."

jesvetmed

04-10-2008, 09:03 PM

I just finished Slow Fat Triathlete -- fun read. Good info and inspiration! A great recommendation.

Starfish... maybe you could do my swim... I've been avoiding the pool like the plague, but working hard on my biking and running instead. Just lazy -- I have to drive to the pool, the rest is right here. So we'd make a decent team!

I think that if it sounds fun to you, you should go for it. There are a lot of "first time tri's" out there and women only tri's that are much more fun and laid back and supportive. And the training for 3 different things makes it easier to spread the running around so it isn't as painful as running daily.

Starfish

04-10-2008, 09:20 PM

Thanks, guys. End of my little hijack. I'm very de-motivated on the bike right now...kinda looking for excuses to do something different, but probably just jaw-jackin' right now. Truth is, I'm considering chucking my goals out the window for the summer and just taking a season off from any goals. But, we'll see.

rocknrollgirl

04-11-2008, 01:29 AM

Starfish,
Why not make the goal just to finish? Youcould do it. You will be amazed at the folks that you see at the strting line and most of them finish, some of them very slowly, but who cares. The point is to be out there.

Do you have someone that you can ride with that is faster. Chasing my DH made me a much faster rider, and in racing terms, I ma not a fast runner, I just plug along. You can do it.

HillSlugger

04-11-2008, 09:37 AM

I usually swim at about 2min/100m pace and can "sprint" a 300m at about 1:52 pace. This morning with my wetsuit on I did 400m on 1:46 pace without even working hard! I cut a full minute off my usual time at that distance! Now I can't wait to see my 750m time for my race next weekend (assuming I survive the cold water :eek:)

rocknrollgirl

04-11-2008, 09:48 AM

I know...I bow down to the greatness of my wetsuit. I can cruise with it on!

kelownagirl

04-11-2008, 12:34 PM

I need to buy a wetsuit.

Starfish

04-12-2008, 08:15 AM

Do you have someone that you can ride with that is faster. Chasing my DH made me a much faster rider, and in racing terms, I ma not a fast runner, I just plug along. You can do it.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I think there is just something wrong with my attitude these days, to be honest. It does sound fun.

I really would love to find the right riding buddies. There are not that many folks where I live who really train on road bikes. There is a contingent of really nice folks, but they all do IRONMANs. I tried riding with them once, and it was ridiculous. There is one woman I can kind of ride with, but her life has been extremely difficult for a couple years, and it is not a consistent opportunity. We don't have a local club.

I investigated a local women's group that is starting to meet for rides, but they are almost all VERY recreational, mostly on cruiser type bikes, etc.

So...I am still on the quest to find a regular riding buddy.

I usually swim at about 2min/100m pace and can "sprint" a 300m at about 1:52 pace. This morning with my wetsuit on I did 400m on 1:46 pace without even working hard! I cut a full minute off my usual time at that distance!

Now, I have to admit THIS is motivating. I might have to get back to swimming just so I can get a wetsuit and feel fast at SOMETHING again! :rolleyes: :p

kelownagirl

04-19-2008, 09:01 AM

My forearms hurt. Is that from swimming? It's the muscle or tendon in the front of my arm, moreso where it attaches to my elbow.

rocknrollgirl

04-19-2008, 02:49 PM

OMG KG...I am NOT A FREAK!!! I AM NOT ALONE!!!
First off, I am sorry that you are hurting.
I started having elbow issues from swimming in January. I have consulted my PT, my trainer at school and been to the Sports Med Doc and none of them have ever had anyone come in with elbow problems from swimming. Shoulder problems are a dime a dozen, but not elbows.

I know exactly what I did, and when I did it. It was when my knee was so bad that I could not kick, so I swam with the pull buoy. It must have changed my postion enough in the water to change my stroke.

SO, what have you been doing? Pulling? Going really hard? How is your hand postion, elbow position? Be more specific about where it hurts. In your description, palm up or palm down.

PM me if you want to chat more....
Ruth

kelownagirl

04-19-2008, 03:21 PM

LOL RNRgirl! I'm glad you're so excited! :D

Well, I'm happy to say that my pain is not bad, just noticeable and I'm curious as to how I got it. I know it wasn't from biking or running and I haven't been to the gym for 6 weeks so I'm assuming it's from swimming. If I pretend I am swimming and go thru the stroke and can feel my forearm tighten when I'm in the 'pull' position.

And you're right, I couldn't find any online info about this pain being related to swimming. Only stuff about the shoulder. I swim with a pull buoy once in awhile but not a lot. Hmmm....

I was trying to find a picture online that showed the area that is sore. I THINK it's the Supinator Teres muscle but I will wait to hear from someone more knowledgeble than me. Wahine? Knot?

It mostly hurts at the point of insertion (at the elbow) although it is sore right down that short strip of muscle. And it only mostly hurts when my hand is facing down, but even more so if I face it down and then turn it outwards.

Here are the only pics I can find

Pika

04-19-2008, 08:50 PM

Hi KG:
I am sure wahine and Knot will have lots of great advice for you-but to clarify- is your pain on the inside of the elbow or outside?
Does it hurt more if you resist lifting your wrist and fingers up or pulling down( curling your fingers- wrist)
The most common pain is on the outside ( tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis) pain on the inside is very often medial epicondylitis or golfer's elbow) and no you don't have to golf or play tennis to get it.
There are many great stretches for both conditions and of course some eccentric stregthening ( strengthening with the tendon lengthening) but that comes later in rehab-
Sometimes a mobilization of the ulna (forearm bone) on the humerus (upper arm bone) is very useful.
hopefully this isn't too dijointed to be of any help- just need a bit more info 1to be more specific- :)

kelownagirl

04-20-2008, 12:19 AM

rocknrollgirl

04-20-2008, 03:02 AM

Mine is Golfer's elbow, and the part of your stroke where it hurts is EXACTLY where mine hurts. If you google it, there is a ton of info.

Wahine

04-20-2008, 07:22 AM

kelownagirl

04-20-2008, 08:08 AM

KG - the pic on the left is actually of the left arm, palm side, with the arrow at the inner elbow. This is golfer's elbow. So you likely have some local irritation here from pulling during your stroke. But I'm also intrigued by the fact that the pain is worse with certain neck movements - it could just ba coincidence because that's how your happen to be moving your head at a certain part of the stroke, or it could be that you've go an irritated nerve in your neck that's contributing to the problem.

Did you find some online stretches etc?

I know you don't want to hear this but you may need to have your PT look at it, especially if you've got a nerve pinching thing going on.

LOL, I tried so hard to find a pic with the back of the hand showing. Well, anyway, if you imagine this is the back of the hand instead, that's about the spot.

Not sure where you got the neck idea? Maybe RnRG said something about the neck? Anyway, mine doesn't hurt when I turn my neck at all. Hopefully, that
s a good thing.

I'll look for some stretches and see if that helps.And like I said, right now it's not a big deal, just an annoyance. But I am learning to notice things and I don't want them to get worse because I was ignorant. :)

rocknrollgirl

04-20-2008, 10:23 AM

Nope, no mention of neck here either...

kelownagirl

04-28-2008, 08:17 PM

A guy on another forum posted a 12 week swim plan for training for a sprint or Oly Tri so I am going to try to follow it for awhile. They all start with a 400-500m warm up then a main set. The first day is 2 X 400m, 2nd one faster than the first.

I really must find a way to keep track of my laps. I just keep losing count, or messing up entirely. I was supposed to do 400m warmup and somehow I counted it wrong (using the alphabet) and did 800m instead. I was wondering why it was getting late and I still had my two 400m sets to do.

Anyway, my first 400m was 10:30 and my 2nd was 9:05. Interesting.

The other day, I tried to swim 50m as fast as I could and did it in exactly 1:00. No way I could up that pace over the long haul though, at least not yet... :D

HillSlugger

04-29-2008, 05:06 AM

SportCount (http://www.sportcount.com/)!

Veronica

04-29-2008, 04:56 PM

I finally made it to the pool. :p I'm pretty much where I expected to be, happily. After a warmup, I swam 500 yards. The first 100 yards was pretty quick -1:35, but the next 4 were 1:50s. I kicked a 500 and then pulled a 500.

It's been over two years since I've done any swimming - ultra distance cycling takes a lot of time. :D I expect the swimming to come back pretty quickly.

V.

kelownagirl

04-29-2008, 07:12 PM

I get to try another wetsuit tomorrow. It's a size bigger than the last one so cross your fingers. It's an Orca Speedsuit - something like this? It's only 2 1/2 years old and in good shape but she wants $250 for it. If it fits, I might offer $200. We'll see.

kelownagirl

04-29-2008, 09:05 PM

Help - tomorrow I have to do 5 X 200m, all negative splits. Does that mean each 200m set should be a little faster than the last?

jesvetmed

04-29-2008, 11:36 PM

Definition of a Negative Split: In a workout application, this usually refers to any workout where the last half of a interval or entire workout is slightly faster than the first.

KG: Got that off beginner triathlete. Hope it helps. It wouldn't show me the rest of the article (I'm not a Paying Member!).

I swam yesterday for the second time this week -- that is my goal now -- minimum 2 a week, maybe 3 on a week I don't work much.

300 wu
300 drill sets
4x100 at moderate to fast pace (ok.. for me it's all go faster, or relax!)
6x50 Fartleks (fast crawl down 25 down, slow recovery breast on way back)
200 cool down.
so.... 1500m total?

I ALWAYS get a headache after being in the pool for more than a few minutes. Don't know if it is just the chlorine, the way I hold my head, the tight cap, or mental .... I really don't enjoy the swimming! Anyone else have this problem?
Jes

kelownagirl

05-01-2008, 08:24 PM

Thanks JVM - I figured that was it. Easier said than done though. I can do it if it's only 2-3 sets but faster for 5 sets in a row? I dunno how to pace myself.

Dh was picking me up so I didn't have to time to do the last set but here are my times (after 400m warmup). Ah well, lots to learn.

200m 4:53
200m 5:00
200m 5:10
200m 4:37 - OK this one I really tried going faster and since it was my last set I was able to. It'll take some practice to be able to decrease gradually though.

I wore my watch this time and hit the timer when I did each set so at least I was able to get a more accurate time. And I don't usually lose count when it's only 200m :p

I really like my new Tyr goggles - they don't leak at all - but they seem to fog up after 300-400m and then fog up every 200m after that. They are supposed to be anti-fog. Should I buy some of that spray anyway? Does it work?

jesvetmed

05-05-2008, 09:16 PM

KG: I've never tried the spray -- if you do, let us know what you think. I have some Speedo goggles, and so far haven't had trouble with any fogging.

I have a question to you swimmers.
Every time I swim, I get a pounding headache quickly -- my warm up laps aren't even finished and it's throbbing. I notice it the most between laps when I am resting. I have no idea WHY? Anyone else have this trouble?
I figure it could be one of the following things: the chlorine fumes, the pressure of the cap/goggles, the way I hold my head / shoulders... other? maybe the GASPING for air? :p

Would love to hear if anyone else has / had this problem, and if you figured it out.
Jes

alpinerabbit

05-05-2008, 10:37 PM

Re: fogging, do you lick your goggles before putting on? Alternatively, rub the inside w/dishwashing liquid (just don't do both :D )

The licking did not help with the OW swim in my first tri though.

The headache - goggles too tight or digging into your eyesockets, or putting undue pressure somewhere?

Kimmyt

05-06-2008, 04:40 AM

I've always noticed I get headaches when I put my goggles on too tight. I tend to do this whenever we do block starts in class because I can never seem to hit the water right to keep my goggles on. My aquasphere ones are a bit harder to crank down and the soft plastic on the outside doesn't hurt my eye socket as much. I used to get headaches allthe time with my old speedo goggles that had hard plastic rims and thin straps.

I had a breakthrough session last night. Coach had us doing IMs all class, which usually I hate.

wu: 200 swim, 100 pull, 100 kick
sets: 4x100 IM w/fins
1x50 kick choice no fins
3x100 IM w/fins
2x50 kick choice no fins
2x100 IM w/fins
3x50 kick choice no fins
1 x 100 IM w/fins
4x50 kick choice no fins
(all of these with ~ 20 RI)
then we had Cinco de Mayo relay games.

Basically, I want to get a pair of zoomers. I used the big old doofy fins that they had in the closet. I did the first 4x100 IM and felt FAST. Of course, since I had fins. But my ankles also got sore because of the pressure the long fins put on them. So I took them off. The rest of class, my form was just beautiful. I wasn't feeling winded even after butterfly. I could FEEL my stroke so much more in the water. Just 400 with fins helped me feel my positioning so much better. A friend even commented on it, saying that I really looked like I was stretching out in the water :preen:. Also, once I took them off I felt like I still had them on, I could feel my ankles and my feet flexing like mini fins, and propelling me through the water. It was really awesome. So they're on my list of things to get. I don't want to use them alot, because I don't want to injure myself or use them as a crutch, but I think they'd be useful once in a while to work on my form.

KSH

05-06-2008, 05:46 AM

Goggles fogging up? I put just a tab bit of water in my goggles when I swim. When they fog up, I shake my head and the fog is gone. It sounds odd, but if you get just the right amount in the goggles it won't bother you when you swim and it will clean the goggles.

I switched to a new swim program this week. Well, I tried to.

I went to the pool on Monday morning. Hhhuuummm... no roof on the pool. Ok. That could be fine. Hhhuuummmm... the water is not heated. NOT GOOD.

The air temperature was 65 degrees.

What the heck were they thinking?

I got in up to my waist, and got out and went to the gym to swim.

I'll go back when it's warm outside and the pool has had time to warm up.

HillSlugger

05-06-2008, 05:56 AM

I went to the pool on Monday morning. Hhhuuummm... no roof on the pool. Ok. That could be fine. Hhhuuummmm... the water is not heated. NOT GOOD.

The air temperature was 65 degrees.

What the heck were they thinking?

I got in up to my waist, and got out and went to the gym to swim.

I'll go back when it's warm outside and the pool has had time to warm up.

Don't you want to practice with your wetsuit?!? ;) :rolleyes:

KSH

05-06-2008, 07:20 AM

Don't you want to practice with your wetsuit?!? ;) :rolleyes:

Oh trust me, the thought crossed my mind already. If it wasn't such a pain to push off the walls in it, I would totally do it.

alpinerabbit

05-06-2008, 10:06 AM

Goggles fogging up? I put just a tab bit of water in my goggles when I swim.

Not me. Contact lenses and generally that would annoy the heck out of me and get my eyes all red.

KSH

05-06-2008, 12:12 PM

Not me. Contact lenses and generally that would annoy the heck out of me and get my eyes all red.

Ah... yea, that plan would not work for you.

rocknrollgirl

05-06-2008, 02:50 PM

Yee Haa baby....

Today was a planned pool workout, and all day long my students kept telling me how nice it was outside. I have no windows in my classroom, so I was clueless. I had been in since 6:30 am. So I figured...today might be the day, OWS.

I emailed DH and told him I wanted to go. He was not available to be my swim buddy and voiced his opinion that he did not want me to go alone. Noted and ignored honey!

I ran home after school and did a partial wetsuit wiggle, into the bottom half and drove the 7 mins to the lake. We have access to swim on a small, spring fed private lake in our town. It is really nice.

I got down on the dock and the wind was blowing pretty hard. I looked up and down and said...dang, was the lake this big last year?

I had a thermometer with me, just for bragging rights, but I could not get an accurate reading. It was cold, but not unbearable. A big gasp when the suit filled, but no loss of feeling or coordination in the extremities. So I put it at about 65 degrees or so.

I decided since I was alone to do a perimeter swim. Great idea from a safety standpoint, but it brought me in to the striking zone for two very, very large snapping turtles, that were sunning themselves near the edge of the lake. They scare me, alot. I figured that in my wetsuit, maybe I looked like a huge snapping turtle to them. I hope.

It was a bit tough coming back in to the wind, but it was fun. I swam about 40 mins. I would have done a bit more if DH had been along, but at the end, I was getting a little tired. Not like I am going to sink in my wetsuit. I float like a butterball in that sucker!

So all in all, a successful first venture in to the murky depths....

Veronica

05-06-2008, 05:04 PM

2350 for me today after work.

warm up was 4 x 150, skps
main set 1650 ladder, starting with 275, then 250, 225, etc.
cool down 100

I was going to bike after... but I nicked the rear tire when I closed the car after putting the bike in this morning. Of course I didn't discover it until after I swam and was getting ready to take off. It was a hectic morning... I ran this morning too.

V.

kelownagirl

05-10-2008, 09:44 PM

1600m for me today. Was supposed to be 1400m but I felt good and did an extra 200m. Tried out the wetsuit for 100m and LOVED it. It took 15 seconds off my 50m time. Did 1200m steady - my longest swim yet.

Did the first 750m in 19:00. I'm sure I'll be faster in a wetsuit and after I've had another 3 months of practice. :rolleyes:

jesvetmed

05-13-2008, 06:52 PM

kelownagirl

05-13-2008, 07:41 PM

I felt so bagged for the last two days I skipped my run and swim today and called in sick tomorrow. I need a day of sleep.

Wahine

05-13-2008, 07:48 PM

good for you KG. a lot of the time rest is much more important. You've been going hard all year. You may even need a couple of weeks of light activity. Take care of yourself.

I swam about 2800 m this morning with 3 of my 100s hitting below 1:30.:D

KSH

05-14-2008, 05:46 AM

Today I decided to just get in the pool and swim the distance I'll need to cover in my upcoming triathlon. 1500m... so I did it -- swam 4 laps crawl and 1 lap breast (as a rest interval) and kept repeating it. No stopping to actually rest. 31.5 minutes when I was done.

I found that without doing the intervals, shorter distances with rests, I lose focus and don't have good form. It took a lot to keep myself thinking about it all.

Overall I'll be happy with that kind of time. I still can take into account there will be no stop and turn arounds in the lake, and also I'll have the Wetsuit, which it sounds like will take some time off if all goes as planned.

At least I know I can survive 1500m. Now... if I can manage to bike and run after!

Great job! Yes, you can survive.

So, are you planning on breast stroke during your tri? Have you practiced some in your wetsuit? Have you swam close to that far in a wetsuit?

If not, I encourage you to get it in the pool and swim in it. I know for me the wetsuit changes my stroke some. You might also find it's not easy doing breast stroke in it.

I've also found that a wetsuit constricts my chest cavity and makes me feel like I can't breathe. It's a feeling that you have to get use to.

Good luck on your tri!

Veronica

05-14-2008, 06:29 AM

1700 yards for me yesterday.

My wetsuit arrived at work just after I left. I'll be trying it out on my next swim I guess.

V.

kacie tri-ing

05-14-2008, 07:55 AM

Hello!

I just finished my first sprint last weekend and loved it!:D

I really was training for the 600 m swim, but it felt so much harder than I expected. The bike went faster than I had planned, and the run was right on target.

I tried to calm myself down so that I could pace myself in the swim, but I started WAY too fast anyway. Then I felt claustraphobic in the lake (it was my first open water swim).

Any suggestions for endurance/fear/anxiety in the open water. I am sure that the first suggestion will be practicing the open water swim....if so, where do you practice? How do you do it? How do you not get run over by boats? (I live in atlanta, so our lakes have become smaller by droughts!)

Thanks so much!!!:cool:

jesvetmed

05-21-2008, 08:37 PM

I just finished my first sprint last weekend and loved it
Congratulations Kacie! It sounds like things really went fine for you... the swim seems to always be what people are freaked about. I asked several people at the stores around here to see where to swim OW. If your local running store people don't do tri's, they know people who do and can usually direct you... unless you are lucky enough to have a tri store or tri club in your area.

KSH: Just saw your post tonight.

So, are you planning on breast stroke during your tri? Have you practiced some in your wetsuit? Have you swam close to that far in a wetsuit?

If not, I encourage you to get it in the pool and swim in it. I know for me the wetsuit changes my stroke some. You might also find it's not easy doing breast stroke in it.

I've also found that a wetsuit constricts my chest cavity and makes me feel like I can't breathe. It's a feeling that you have to get use to.

I'd like to say that I don't plan to do breast stroke, but in reality, it's how I catch my breath when I'm tired swimming. No, haven't swam in the wetsuit yet... that is my plan for next week! I'm heading to Coeur d'alene with a friend and will do a "mini tri" there. If I can get a short "get to know you" swim in earlier than next week around here, I will. Maybe I'll just go to the lake and float around and try some things out -- not really comfortable heading out for a swim across the lake alone.

Overall, had a great swim today -- first time I can say that. I felt stronger and smoother. Just attitude, probably. Got in 1700m today.

kelownagirl

05-21-2008, 09:43 PM

How do I store my (dry) wetsuit- inside out or outside in?

HillSlugger

05-22-2008, 05:16 AM

How do I store my (dry) wetsuit- inside out or outside in?

I store my right side out, on a hanger in the closet. I'm interested to hear what others do.

Wahine

05-22-2008, 05:54 AM

I let mine dry inside out then flip it right side out for storage.

teigyr

05-22-2008, 09:08 AM

I got a catalog in the mail last night and saw this:

http://www.finisinc.com/products-tr-forearmfulcrum.shtml

Since swimming is mostly about form, does anyone think this would be beneficial? I know my form is sloppy no matter how hard I try. My mentality is to force through it which is wrong, I know. Even though this is a fairly simple toy, I wonder if it could help?

There's also something in there about a device that assists with rotation and core strength.

Does anyone use anything like this?

I've taken lessons and *can* swim, I just tend to forget important things and revert back to my Red Cross swimming days. Then I get tired :o

alpinerabbit

05-22-2008, 09:19 AM

Well, you can use toys all you want except don't do it more than say 10% of your total distance.

There are loads of drills out there that do the same for you, and it would be good to incorporate some tech drills into your swim sessions from now on until the end of time.

Speaking of which.

Last night I had an introduction to TI - our partner club trains that way and I'm joining their training, so I got to go through the whole sequence.

My bottom line is they teach you the same form in the end, splitting it up which is good. Emphasis on body rotation which is fine but not *really* done by the pros (they mostly rotate from their hips if I trust mine eyes on TV), and no emphasis at all on underwater catch and push-thru which gives you power once you have mastered technique.

So a good way to learn but then you have to go on?

What are the opinions out there?

teigyr

05-22-2008, 09:32 AM

Thanks Alpinerabbit.

I guess the best way would be to go to clubs/classes and swim with other people. I keep looking for something to help me practice on my own because when I get to the pool, all rational thought goes out of my head and I just want to swim instead of doing drills. I'm impatient. I also tend to not know what the terminology is and it seems like everyone (ok, not everyone but it feels that way!) has a different theory of how it should be done.

I've often thought that if I just knew what the correct form *felt* like, I'd know if I was doing it right or not. I also know that I am lopsided and have a lazy side.

Anyway, it's time to start working on the swimming again :D I thank you all for your patience.

kelownagirl

05-24-2008, 12:08 PM

Finally got to the pool for the first time in 2 weeks. Thought it might be tough but I felt good - must be all the rest i've had lately. :rolleyes:

400m WU

6 X 200m neg splits

5:30
5:24
5:09
4:48
4:27
4:11

200m CD

jesvetmed

07-01-2008, 10:49 PM

Back to the pool today. Funny, after a couple swims in the lake in the wetsuit, it seemed so weird to try and swim normally. My butt kept sinking! And I couldn't seem to get my "roll" from side to side comfortably either! I'm a mess! I want the wetsuit back!

300 WU
Drills (few): 2x25 finger drag; 2x25 concentrating on bent arms
Sprints: 1/2 length (so - 12.5m) sprint, 1/2 length recover. 5 sec in between. Did 4x25, then rested 1.5 minutes and repeated.
Base: 2x 200 at moderate pace.
Kick: 4x25
CD: 250
TOTAL: 1350m

What drills do people generally work on? I need to work on my roll from side to side, and my pull. I've heard that getting small fins can help you concentrate on upper body work? Anyone have any comment on this?

Thanks!
Jes

alpinerabbit

07-02-2008, 04:29 AM

look at the english part of www.svl.ch for hints, also about fins.

zipper drill, catch up, all kinds of sculling, stopping at thigh and armpit, some kicking, that's the kind of tech drills we do in practice.

the floating drills and the type of drills TI uses will teach you the correct posture in the water, and rolling; the fins have limited benefit I think.

jesvetmed

07-02-2008, 10:10 AM

Thanks, Alpine! I'll check that out. I'll have to look at all of those -- I have not heard of most of them! :rolleyes:
Jes

alpinerabbit

07-02-2008, 11:00 AM

Woot :-)

today was the public "cross-the-lake" swim, it's really laid back with young and old folks, breaststroking, even aquajoggers join in.
http://www.seeueberquerung.ch/_upload/gallery/folder_4/thumbsbig/P1010036.JPG

for your entry fee you get a bright cap so the guards see you, your bag is hauled across and you get risotto on th'other side. (was too hot for risotto today).

Took me 33 minutes for 1450 meters including swimming around some of the slower folks.

I wasn't going all-out - so I think I won't be last at an Oly (I even passed a couple GUYS in tri suits...)

teigyr

07-02-2008, 10:02 PM

The lake swim looks like fun!

I think I had a breakthrough today. I did drills and then I did structured swimming sets. My total distance was 1235 meters.

I love swimming but have struggled with form. I actually started feeling where the water felt like it was flowing over me and I noticed when I was interupting that flow by how I was swimming. My hand placement on one side is a bit off and isn't as smooth as the other side.

It's no substitution for having someone critique me in person but I think I actually made HUGE progress. It was a good day :D

jesvetmed

07-02-2008, 10:25 PM

Alpine.. that looks like fun, and the water looks like it's such a beautiful color!? Is that an illusion?!

Teigyr... good job on "feeling the water". I think when that happens you are really doing something right! A while ago, I felt that things were really clicking at the pool, but then I lost that for a bit! Need to get that back! Keep it up!

I have my swim clinic a week form Saturday - -looking VERY forward to that! I'll share any hints I learn!
Jes

HillSlugger

07-03-2008, 05:42 AM

I actually started feeling where the water felt like it was flowing over me and I noticed when I was interupting that flow by how I was swimming. My hand placement on one side is a bit off and isn't as smooth as the other side.

It's no substitution for having someone critique me in person but I think I actually made HUGE progress. It was a good day :D

Human coaching is great, but it's even better if you can feel what's right. Afterall, your coach won't be out there adjusting your stroke during races, etc.